Supervisor Daniel J. Panico has announced a new initiative aimed at addressing youth substance abuse in Brookhaven, New York. 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 present 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.”
The workshop, which is funded by the Suffolk County Opioid Settlement Grant, will be led by LICADD Executive Director Steve Chassman. It is designed for individuals interested in youth mental health and substance abuse prevention and offers 2.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for mental health professionals, subject to approval.
Attendees will learn various mindfulness techniques intended to enhance awareness of thoughts and feelings, manage stress and anxiety, build emotional resilience without resorting to substances, and foster self-compassion and non-judgmental acceptance.
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 in Farmingville. Registration is necessary due to limited space availability.
Interested parties can register through the provided link or contact the Brookhaven Youth Bureau for more information.
