“Let’s Be Blunt” Cannabis Safety Awareness Campaign Brings Attention To Responsible Cannabis Use For Long Islanders

To kick off their collaborative cannabis safety awareness campaign entitled “Let’s Be Blunt,” Partnering in Action and Change for Tomorrow (PACT) and Town of Babylon Cares – two leading community prevention coalitions based on Long Island – held a press conference on January 10, 2023 in Amityville, New York to announce the new outreach and educational campaign.

As a society, keeping our youth, families and community members safe is of paramount importance. Now that cannabis is legal for recreational adult use and licensed sale in New York State for those 21 years of age or older, Nassau Countybased PACT and Suffolk County-based Town of Babylon Cares have banded together to provide education and awareness about properly securing cannabis and not driving while under the influence.

messaging to ensure it resonates with the public and families to encourage keeping cannabis in a secure place in the home and deterring people from operating a vehicle after smoking or consuming edible cannabis products.

Regulations regarding the sale of cannabis products locally and state-wide are currently being finalized, and the first cannabis retailer on Long Island is slated to open early this year. While recreational adult-use cannabis is legal, it is critical to be aware that the following are illegal: It is illegal for those under age 21 to consume cannabis recreationally in any form. Adults should keep cannabis products secure and away from youth and pets to prevent accidental consumption.

SM ALL BUDGET? 631-226-2636, press 276

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SM ALL BUDGET? 631-226-2636, press 276

Set to launch this month, the landmark cross-county cannabis campaign entitled “Let’s Be Blunt” includes outreach through local print media outlets, digital marketing, radio public service messages and social media. The first ad in the campaign, featuring imagery of an effective way to properly secure cannabis at home, emphasizes the message “Don’t let youth get high on your supply. Keep it secure.”

The second ad shows a cannabis user getting a ride from friends and the message “Don’t drive high. Get a ride.”

Multiple sectors of community partners contributed to the

It is illegal to consume cannabis in a motor vehicle and to drive under the influence of cannabis. Drivers who are under the influence should get a ride from a designated driver or car service.

Speakers at the “Let’s Be Blunt: Cannabis Safety Awareness Campaign Press Conference” shared key points and messaging of the campaign, impact statements, and how the coalitions are working together to educate parents and the public on ways to secure and use cannabis responsibly.

Speakers included: Pamela Mizzi, MS, CASAC II, LMHC –Director, Long Island Prevention Resource Center at Family Service League; join to launch the ‘Let’s Be Blunt’ Campaign on Cannabis Safety (L to R): Guy Calla, Suffolk County Legislative Chief of Staff for Legislator Kevin McCaffrey, Michael A. Lavorata, Mayor, Incorporated Village of Lindenhurst, Tom Donnelly, Suffolk County Legislator, Thomas McKevitt, Nassau County Legislator, Tricia Olszewski, Project Coordinator, Lindy Cares, Pamela Mizzi, MS, CASAC II, LMHC, Director, Long Island Prevention Resource Center at Family Service League, Nikola Segoloni, Project Director, Lindy Cares, LoriAnn Novello, MSW, CASACt, Executive Director, Town of Babylon Cares and Lindenhurst Community Cares Coalition, Inc. (Lindy Cares), Hillary Alvarez, MPH, CHES, Prevention Coordinator, PACT, Adrienne LoPresti, LCSW-R, Executive Director, YES Community Counseling Center, Rich Schaffer, Town of Babylon Supervisor, DuWayne Gregory, Town of Babylon Councilman, Maureen McCormick, Special Litigation Assistant District Attorney, Suffolk County DA’s Office

Hillary Alvarez, MPH, CHES – Prevention Coordinator, PACT; Lori-Ann Novello, MSW, CASACt –Executive Director, Town of Babylon Cares and Lindenhurst Community Cares Coalition, Inc. (Lindy Cares); Maureen McCormick – Special Litigation Assistant District Attorney, Suffolk County DA’s Office; Adrienne LoPresti, LCSW-R –Executive Director, YES Community Counseling Center; Tom McKevitt – Nassau County Legislator; and Rich Schaffer – Town of Babylon Supervisor. Educational materials and messaging about properly securing cannabis can be found by visiting either of two websites: https:// pactyes.org/lets- be-blunt or https:// babyloncares.org/letsbe-blunt/ About Town of Babylon Cares

Town of Babylon Cares was formed to provide an opportunity for the community’s residents, parents, youth, business owners, and organizations to come together to offer awareness, knowledge, and education to prevent underage drinking and substance misuse among youth and adults. The coalition works to create a nurturing environment and encourage citizens to take responsibility for community members.

BABYLON CARES Project is designed to bring the villages and hamlets in the Town of Babylon to work together on mutually beneficial projects to create global population level change to reduce substance misuse among youth across borders. For more information or to get involved, visit www. babyloncares.org.

About Partnering in Action and Change for Tomorrow (PACT) YES Community Counseling Center’s PACT (Partnering In Action and Change For Tomorrow) is funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (SAMHSA-CSAP). PACT is comprised of five communities and school districts (Farmingdale, Island Trees, Levittown, Massapequa and Plainedge) including