“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 County-based 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.

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

“LET’S BE BLUNT” - Members from PACT (Partnering In Action Change For Tomorrow), Town of Babylon Cares and local Long Island elected officials 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, Lori-Ann 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 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 messaging to ensure it resonates with the public and families to encourage