Teenage Safety Coalition

Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice, in response to the dangers facing teenagers, has formed the Nassau County Teenage Safety Coalition, an organization comprised of local school districts, youth groups, substance abuse treatment organizations and law enforcement agencies dedicated to keeping Nassau County’s teenagers safe from destructive decision-making.

Rice said the coalition’s goal is simple: combine the resources and knowledge possessed by the dozens of coalitions, schools, and groups dedicated to making teenagers safer.

“This coalition is the first of its kind to gather all of these like-minded groups under one umbrella,” Rice said. “By sharing information, knowledge, and advice, each organization will become stronger and more effective and Nassau County’s teens will benefit.”

The Teenage Safety Coalition held its first conference in early May. Sponsored by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) through an Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention “Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws” grant, and the Nassau County Traffic Safety Board (NCTSB), the conference featured feature informational seminars on everything from drunk and reckless driving to heroin abuse to the Social Host Law.

Coalition members include Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Boys & Girls Club, County and village police departments, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island, Peninsula Counseling Center, Nassau County Department of Social Services, and dozens of treatment agencies and school districts.

Coalition members can sign up for a ListServ email notification system to discuss issues, share information, and learn new information. The system is hosted by Kathy Coley at SUNY Farmingdale.

The next meeting of the Nassau County Teenage Safety Coalition will take place in the Fall. For information on how to join the Teenage Safety Coalition, please email Rene.Fiechter@NassauDA.org.