Southampton To Hold Candlelight Vigil

Southampton Town’s Opioid Addiction and Recovery Committee will hold its second annual candlelight vigil at Good Ground Park May 11 to shed light on the drug crisis that continues to plague the area.

“While the number of deaths has declined since we first started the Opioid Task Force in 2017, the number of Narcan saves are up, which indicates we still have a problem,” Supervisor Jay Schneiderman said. “We have had only one death so far this year, but that’s still one death too many.”

The vigil, at 9A Squiretown Road in Hampton Bays from 7 to 9 PM, will give those who want to say something the opportunity to speak about their loved ones. Last year, many did so for the first time, according to town officials. If you would like to be added to the list of speakers, email a request to the town’s Director of Communications Connie Conway at cconway@southamptontownny.gov.

“Gather with us and light a candle to remember those lost,” Schneiderman said.

Parent Roundtable

The Opioid Addiction and Recovery Committee will also hold a roundtable on opioids, vaping, and alcohol use for parents at the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church at 111 St. Andrew Road, Southampton, on May 14 from 6 to 7:30 PM.

The roundtable will discuss warning signs and what parents can do to prevent the misuse of opioids, alcohol, and vaping among youth.

Attendees will learn effective strategies and signs of use from the experts. Kym Laube from the Westhampton Beach-based nonprofit Human Understanding and Growth Services, Inc. will speak to parents about what “every parent should know,” including guidance founded on local data-based proven strategies.

A Southampton Town Police Department representative will offer tips about recognizing indicators of use — what to look for, where to look for it, and what is currently happening within the community. There will also be a Narcan demonstration. Parents can take home resource kits to share with fellow community members to help safeguard youth from addiction.

“This is a great opportunity for parents of students of all age levels from all of our schools to come together to learn more about preventing youth substance abuse,” said Southampton Youth Bureau Director Nancy Lynott, co-chair of the Opioid Addiction and Recovery Committee. “We have had public forums before for the general public, for the medical community, and for young people, but this is the first forum designed just for parents. We hope this gives them the tools they need to keep children in our community safe from dangerous substance use behaviors.”

Presentation And Training

There will be a Narcan training session and presentation on the opioid crisis at the Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center from 6:30 to 8:30 PM on Thursday, May 2. Laube will give a presentation on drug abuse and Deputy Sheriff William Weick will show attendees how to use Narcan to revive overdose victims.

The event, “Well, Well, Well,” is part of the Thinking Forward Lecture Series and is being cosponsored by the child care center and the South Fork Natural History Museum.

To reserve a place or obtain more information, contact Vanessa Rojano in the office of County Legislator Bridget Fleming at 631-852-8400 or by email at Vanessa.rojano@suffolkcountyny.gov.

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