October 7, 2016

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Harrison REVIEW THE

October 7, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 41 | www.harrisonreview.com

Library prepares to launch ‘new strategic plan’

HUSKIES HEATING UP

By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer

Harrison’s Kerby JeanCharles finds running room against Lincoln on Sept. 30. The Huskies thumped the Lancers 53-6 for their third straight win. For story, see page 15. Photo/Mike Smith

Doctor uses breakthrough ketamine treatment for depression By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer A doctor in the town/village of Harrison is using the experimental drug ketamine to treat patients with major depression, as the practice was recently placed on the fast track for approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in August. Dr. Alan Young, a longtime Westchester County physician who practiced anesthesiology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City, and was on staff as an anesthesiologist for more than 30 years at White Plains Hospital, began business for Ketamine Medical Solutions of Westchester, located at 450 Mamaroneck Ave., in June. “When I saw that there was

research that showed ketamine treatment can help treat people with depression, I became interested,” said Young, one of two doctors in Westchester to perform the breakthrough treatment. “It provides a way for me to fulfill a need in the community that no one seems to be addressing.” Traditionally, the generic medication ketamine—the drug is sold under the brand name Ketalar—is mainly used for starting and maintaining anesthesia. The drug is often used as a recreational psychoactive under the name “Special K.” If the treatment is approved by the FDA, it would offer psychiatrists a new method for treating patients with suicidal ideations, according to Young, and would

be the first major breakthrough for treating major depressive disorder in nearly half a century. There have been a number of studies conducted that have shown that small doses of ketamine can provide fast relief to alleviate treatment-resistant depression, as the drug serves as an artificial nerve cell stimulator. A completed study in May conducted by Janssen Research & Development, as a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, determined that there is preliminary clinical evidence to support the breakthrough therapy designation by the FDA for major depressive disorder with imminent risk for suicide. “Unfortunately, depression is not a disease that can be cured, but it can be completely allevi-

ated with ketamine,” Young said. He also told the Review that the breakthrough treatment for depression will work hand in hand with traditional cognitive therapy, which, according to him, has proven to be more impactful with ketamine. “When patients are really depressed, they can’t take advantage of cognitive therapy. Ketamine gives patients the ability to more effectively talk to a psychiatrist and find out what triggers their depression.” Cognitive therapy involves the individual working collaboratively with a therapist to develop skills for testing and modifying beliefs, identifying distorted thinking, relating to others in different ways, and changing KETAMINE continued on page 8

The Harrison Public Library is preparing to draft its threeyear strategic plan for 2017, and is asking for feedback from residents and patrons of the library. Galina Chernykh, the library’s director, said the library sets a new strategic plan every three years in order to keep up with the development of information technologies. She added that although the library has some plans on what it will address between 2017 and 2020, community input will be vital to how the library shapes its strategy. “The library is not just a place for books,” she said. “It’s a community center.” The library is inviting residents to sign up to participate in focus groups between Oct. 17 and Oct. 24. There is also a 10-question online survey on the library website—harrisonpl.org/share-your-ideas— which includes questions about the types of events the library offers and asks participants to prioritize how the library should expand its services. Another tab on the website invites users to leave recommendations for the library on a message board, or by using the Twitter hashtag #HPLFuture. Chernykh said the library wants input from adult readers and parents who frequently visit the library’s two locations, at 2 Bruce Ave. in Harrison and 2 Madison St. in West Harrison. “We would also like to reach out to newcomers and ask about their needs,” she added.

The collection of feedback from the public is scheduled to end by November, at which point the library board will develop its final strategy. That strategy will then go into effect at the end of December. According to the library’s website, the 2014-17 strategic plan included community outreach, infrastructural repair and technological advancement. Over the last three-year period, the library purchased a 3-D printer, which is now available for use at no charge for anyone with a valid library card within the Westchester Library System. “We have our upgraded technologies,” Chernykh said. “Now we have to advance our services and our collections.” The main library completed a yearlong $3.6 million infrastructural renovation project on the Richard M. Halperin Memorial Building last year, and is in the final stages of repairs to the West Harrison branch—including asbestos abatement— which began in August and which Chernykh said will be completed by mid-November. The West Harrison branch will remain closed until construction is completed. The library is also working to fill the vacant positions on its board of trustees. On Sept. 5, LoAnn Austin was unanimously nominated by the board to fill one of two vacant seats. Chernykh said the board is interviewing candidates for the second position, and hopes to make a decision by the November board meeting. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com

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