OUR MISSION CONTINUES TO BE to support individuals, families and communities who are all severely affected by those who abuse and depend on alcohol and other drugs. We believe that through our leadership and use of research-based prevention strategies, the Suffolk Coalition makes a significant difference in the well being of all segments of society.

COMPASS (COMmunity, PArent, School, Student) An Alcohol and Drug Abuse Community Coalition-Building Prevention Program
This award-winning program uses a comprehensive alcohol and drug prevention model based on coalition building. Since its inception in 1997, COMPASS has been successfully implemented in six* Suffolk County school districts ranging from small to large, from low to high income. COMPASS has been awarded grants by both the federal and New York state government. COMPASS continues to make a difference and serves as a vehicle to bring about school/community prevention efforts.

COMPASS is a science-based research which builds on the belief that community coalitions can prevent alcohol and drug dependency as well as reduce youth crime rates. This can be accomplished by early identification of individual, family, school, and community risk factors. By building a web of protective, science-based prevention strategies and services, change can take place.

* Participating COMPASS School Districts

Amityville
Bay Shore         
Shelter Island
Southampton   
West Islip
Wyandanch        

COMPASS Coalition Training Academy of Long Island
The goal of the Suffolk Coalition is to introduce COMPASS into every Long Island school district. This hope has been translated into reality thanks to a Bureau of Justice Assistance Congressionally Mandated Award from Congressman Steve Israel. Through this award, the Suffolk Coalition has formed the COMPASS Coalition Training Academy of Long Island. This Academy serves as a framework to train school/community representatives in the knowledge base of prevention and coalition building. Through a series of monthly training, participants strengthen their resolve to build a comprehensive base of services to support the health and wellness of the youth in their communities. Mentoring and additional support is available through the Suffolk Coalition.

Participating Schools & Communities
1. Amityville School District
2. Bay Shore Clergy Association
3. Black Media Foundation, Mastic Beach
4. CCSAP, Bayville
5. Community Wellness Council, Merrick
6. Eastern Suffolk BOCES
7. Farmingdale School District
8. Hauppauge School District
9. Long Beach Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking
10. Long Beach Police Department
11. Manhasset CASA
12. Nassau County Division of Drug and Alcohol
13. Open Door Christian Center, Wyandanch
14. Port Jefferson Station
15. South Country Central School District
16. Suffolk County Department of Health
17. Throgs Neck Community Action Partnership
18. Wyandanch School District

Why A School/Community Needs A Coalition
There are greater reductions in adolescent substance abuse in communities where coalitions exist than in communities where coalitions are not present. From 1993 to 2000 among 7^th graders within the boundary of the Coalition for Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati, there was a 41% decrease in marijuana use and 23% decrease in alcohol use. In the same region where a coalition did not exist, there was a 33% increase in marijuana use and no change in alcohol use.
(Ohio: Coalition for Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati)

SCAT - Suffolk County Addiction Training
Since 1994, the Suffolk County Addiction Training program has trained over 8,300 chemical dependency professionals. These New York state-approved continuing education training sessions recredential over 600 participants each year. In-service training programs on all topics related to chemical dependency prevention are also available to agencies, businesses, schools and parent groups.

Center for Prevention Education
Presentations, training and literature on risk, protection, resiliency and research-based prevention programs are provided to all Suffolk County residents. The Suffolk Coalition maintains a library-based center of current research and science-based programs and videos.

Columbia University TeenScreen Program
The Columbia University TeenScreen Program was developed out of a need to address the escalating number of adolescents who had unidentified mental health issues which often lead to suicide.  The purpose of the Program is to establish a universal screening process to identify adolescents who have undiagnosed mental health issues and/or are at risk for suicide.  The process involves a cooperative effort between the school, students, parents, and community organizations.  The Suffolk Coalition serves as a liaison between the Columbia University TeenScreen Program and interested schools and communities.   

Linkages, Networking and Outreach
As an active participant of the Quality Consortium of Suffolk County, Suffolk Coalition Partnership for Adolescent Mental Health Care, Association of Substance Abuse Professionals of New York State, and various other national and state groups and organizations, the Suffolk Coalition connects with both treatment and prevention programs throughout the country.

Friends of Suffolk Coalition
The Friends of the Suffolk Coalition is the fund-raising arm of the Suffolk Coalition. The Friends work on contributions and participation for the Suffolk Coalition's Annual "Breakfast of Champions" Membership Meeting.


 MEET THE SUFFOLK COALITION STAFF

VIEW PHOTOS FROM PAST
"BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS"

May 7, 2004