The Need for Community-Based Early Intervention for Youth and Young Adults at Early Stages of Substance Use/Abuse

There is a serious gap in the continuum of services between Prevention and Treatment services for high risk youth and young adults at early stages of substance use. When we speak to these youth what we often hear is, “Prevention, education? I know it all! I could even teach the course!” Or,...

SIMHS SafeTY.net Early Intervention Program Fills Gaps in Services for Staten Island Youth Battling Trauma-Related Substance Use/Abuse

For more than a decade, Staten Island has been harboring a shameful secret that is only recently coming to light. Our Island outranks each borough, as well as the whole of New York City and State, in the rate of adolescent drug and alcohol abuse, including binge drinking and use of prescription...

Hurricane Sandy Kids Need Substance Abuse Services

The catastrophic destruction of property and psyche on Staten Island wrought by Hurricane Sandy last October devastated thousands of our residents. The monster waves and tidal surges that overwhelmed communities on the Island’s East and South Shores destroyed 500 homes, sweeping some completely...

Addressing Gun Violence to Combat PTSD in Children

Children exposed to violence, especially gun violence, are at great risk of developing symptoms associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In fact, nearly 100% of children who have witnessed the violent death of someone they know, especially a family member, develop these debilitating...