Supervisor Daniel J. Panico has announced a new initiative aimed at preventing substance abuse among the youth in Brookhaven. The Brookhaven Town Department of General Services Youth Bureau Division is collaborating with the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (LICADD) to introduce a workshop titled "Mindfulness Matters: A Preventive Approach to Youth Substance Abuse."
According to Supervisor Panico, "The purpose of this workshop is to prevent substance abuse in Brookhaven’s youth by providing tools that could be used to help manage stress and anxiety, rather than turning to drug and alcohol experimentation."
This workshop is funded by the Suffolk County Opioid Settlement Grant and will be led by LICADD Executive Director Steve Chassman. It targets individuals interested in youth mental health and substance abuse prevention, offering 2.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for mental health professionals, pending approval.
Participants will be trained in mindfulness techniques designed to enhance awareness of thoughts and feelings, manage stress and anxiety, build emotional resilience, tolerate discomfort without resorting to substances, and increase self-compassion.
Scheduled for July 22, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the program will take place both virtually via Zoom and in person at Brookhaven Town Hall at 1 Independence Hill in Farmingville. A light breakfast will be provided. Due to limited space, registration is necessary.
Interested individuals can register at https://forms.office.com/r/cGYSNpbM3m or call the Brookhaven Youth Bureau at 631-451-8011 for more information.