(Long Island, NY) The Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (LICADD) hosted its 4th AnnualTee-Off for Our Teens tournament on Thursday, September 17th.This year, the agency was hosted at the Maidstone Club in East Hamptonto raise more than $100,000 for LICADD’s substance abuse and addiction programs for teens. Participants were treated to a fast speed-of-play tournament under sunny skies, before returning to the Beach Club for a delicious dinner.
At a time when so many families know first-hand the pain of having an adolescent with addiction, this event was established to respond to the escalating needs of the community. LICADD’s programs are needed more than ever, and the tournament’s proceeds are specifically earmarked in support of the agency’s evidence-based programs for teens.
In addition to providing teen-focused intervention, treatment and recovery programs, LICADD’s services aim at preventing Long Island’s youth from becoming addicting in the first place. Programs like Too Good for Drugs seek to bolster children and young adults’ self-esteem, confidence and communication with peers and parents, before they are presented with the choice to use alcohol and drugs.Under the Student Assistance Program (SAP), these resources are available in schools throughout Long Island and continue to expand into new school districts each month.For young people displaying signs of alcohol and drug abuse, Teen Intervene offers a month-long combination of individual and parent-present counseling sessions focused on charting a different direction that includes abstinence and healthier coping strategies.
These services are only a brief snapshot of the wide range of resources that LICADD provides: the agency conducts screenings, brief interventions, referrals to treatment (SBIRT) and relapse prevention services to individuals and families impacted by substance abuse. LICADD also offers evidence-based prevention programs, community outreach initiatives, a mentoring program for children of incarcerated parents, and advocates for comprehensive and responsible public policy related to addiction.
“Our clients are getting younger and younger as the number of teens affected by prescription drug, heroin and alcohol abuse continues to rise each day,” said LICADD Executive Director Steve Chassman, LCSW, CASAC. “The expanding need for services is staggering, and we are grateful that many community members came out today in support of Tee-Off for Our Teens.”
The tournament was made possible by LICADD’s generous supporters, including Dinner Sponsors: Silber & Ingber and the Rabinowitz Charitable Foundation. Bronze Sponsors: John Doolan and All Way Abstract.
For over 59 years, LICADD has successfully delivered evidence-based programs designed to prevent and treat substance abuse and addiction. LICADD offers crisis intervention, screenings, referrals to treatment and several family education workshops to help Long Islanders struggling with the effects of addiction. Through our Open Arms EAP, LICADD has provided targeted solution focused support to companies throughout the Northeast. Please visit us on Facebook or on the web at www.licadd.org.
