Taking action: Reintroducing AWARE Drug and Alcohol Community Coalition

The AWARE Drug and Alcohol Community Coalition is growing. 

Founded in 2006 as the Northport/East Northport Drug and Alcohol Task Force, the group’s latest refresh is more than a name change. Leaders at AWARE – which stands for advocacy, wellness, action, resilience and education – are enthusiastically sharing an expanded vision with new initiatives and new energy. 

What began as a small group of concerned community members, educators, healthcare professionals and law enforcement officers has grown into nearly a dozen board members of various ages representing a diverse selection of community sectors. 

Early on, one of the group’s primary missions was to prevent and reduce the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol among youth in the Northport/East Northport area. But the coalition’s work has broadened over time, growing in both scope and influence and expanding its reach to local schools, youth programs, families, businesses and community organizations. AWARE continues to raise awareness about substance misuse and its effects on mental and physical health; the coalition also provides a supportive environment for those affected by addiction. 

In more recent years, however, the issues of teen vaping, the opioid epidemic, prescription drug misuse and overdose prevention have become major parts of the coalition’s mission. The group hosts events and programming around mental health awareness, including coping with anxiety and depression. There is also a focus on healthy relationships and self-care, as well as reducing stigma around substance misuse and recovery. 

Activities offered by AWARE include parental education, business/youth collaborations, prescription take-back programs and Narcan training. The group’s social media presence has grown tremendously, with campaigns that shine a light on the many issues facing youth nationwide.  

“Being aware means more than just paying attention – it means understanding the challenges our youth face, recognizing the power of prevention, and taking action together,” reads a statement on the coalition’s website. “[Our] new name reflects our renewed focus on prevention, education, mental well-being and collaboration across all sectors. We remain grounded in our mission and energized for the road ahead as we work to build a safer, healthier and more connected community.”

Vape shop initiative 
Recently, members of the 1LIFE Youth Coalition teamed up with AWARE in a vape shop initiative that helps educate local vape retailers about the law while spreading awareness about underage sales and prevention. 

Alongside Project Assistant Chris Pressler, the 1Life students, all from Northport High School, provided educational packets, window stickers and employee guides to six vape shops on Larkfield Road in East Northport. Each business agreed to partner with the coalition; they now display stickers stating the business will not sell to anyone under 21 years of age.

In addition, the vape shops received copies of the Town of Huntington zoning bill so shop owners can stay compliant with local laws, as well as a packet with advice on how to identify fake IDs. Each shop also received and signed a pledge of support.

According to AWARE Executive Director Linda Oristano, coalition leaders will meet with vape shop owners every six months, providing every year updated information and kits that help fight the sale of products to underage buyers. 

“We can’t say that they’ll never sell to underage kids, we can’t guarantee that, but we can guarantee that they’re aware now of what’s happening and that we really want to work with them and partner with them,” Oristano told the Journal. She recognized that some vape shops are legal businesses and that the legal income from that business may be supporting a family or a home. “We’re not trying to put them out of business,” she said. 

Oristano believes the partnership with AWARE – and having high school students rep the group’s efforts – hold the store owners a little more accountable than before; maybe, she said, it’ll be a little harder next time to sell to an underage person because the coalition’s efforts supplied something to their conscience. 

“They’ll think twice about it, whether they do it or not, they’ll think twice about it,” she said. 

A growing presence  
A recent 1Life meeting drew in dozens of kids interested in the peer-to-peer initiative. “We had an amazing turnout, I’m really happy about that,” Oristano said. This year, each of three 1Life co-presidents will spearhead an initiative focused on substance abuse, environmental issues or mental health. 

AWARE continues to grow as well, expanding into the Elwood community and school district, focusing on tried-and-true events like the upcoming Color Dash, and hosting new initiatives, such as an Alateen program at St. Paul’s Methodist Church in Northport Village every Tuesday from 6 to 7pm. A national organization, Alateen provides a place for teens affected by someone else’s alcoholism or substance abuse to share experiences and find effective ways to cope with problems.

The group continues to advocate for better stewardship and monitoring of Crab Meadow Beach, where woods by the gazebo and creek area have become a consistent place for alcohol and drug use for younger crowds, with the potential of many negative environmental effects. 

Also recently launched is the coalition’s podcast, which seeks to tackle topics related to addiction, mental health, prevention and recovery. Topics so far include teen dating violence, minority mental health and suicide prevention. 

With every outreach, Oristano is encouraging community members to get involved, whether they know someone with an addiction or not, if they or someone they know is struggling mentally, or if they’re simply concerned about the many issues facing the community today, from co-occurring disorders and comorbidity to peer pressure and social media use. 

“I think one of the biggest things is to show up and share experiences,” she said. “If we can provide enough prevention and education and a supportive presence, that’s really what we’re here to do.”

To learn more about AWARE and to get involved, visit the group’s website or Facebook page. 

The coalition’s annual Color Dash is this Saturday, October 18 at Northport Middle School. The high-energy, fun-filled, family-friendly event is from 8am to 2pm, with the run kicking off at 9:15am. Activities for the whole family include bounce houses, a DJ, sand art, face painting, interactive games and more. Registration is open here.