SJC and WALK-FM to Host Drug Abuse Forum

April 26, 2010

PATCHOGUE, NY APRIL 27, 2010 St. Josephs College and WALK-FM 97.5 will co-host a community substance abuse forum on the rise of suburban heroin abuse among young people on Monday, May 3; doors open at 6 p.m. and program begins at 7 p.m. in the DEcclesiis Auditorium located in OConnor Hall on the Colleges Long Island Campus.

The evening will open with remarks from Suffolk and Nassau County representatives. Following their remarks, a panel consisting of six speakers, all with extensive experience relating to substance abuse, will discuss the rise of drug use, particularly heroin, among young people on Long Island.

Featured panelists include John Gilbride, special agent in charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration; Teri Corrigan, assistant district attorney and chief of the Nassau District Attorney's Street Narcotics and Gangs Bureau; Dr. Tom Burger, clinical social worker and school social worker for Eastern Suffolk BOCES; Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds, executive director for the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and Doreen and Victor Ciappa, the parents of a Natalie Ciappa, a Massapequa teen who died of a heroin overdose in 2008.

"As Long Islands family radio station, we feel the need to keep Long Island informed of pressing issues, and there is nothing more pressing right now than the issue of drug abuse among young people, said Jim Condron, vice president and market manager for WALK-FM. "We wish to continue serving Long Island with important information and advice.

A range of topics involving drug abuse among young people will be addressed. Panelists will identify signs of drug use, as well as techniques for confronting drug-addicted teens. Substance abuse prevention efforts on the school, home and community levels will also be addressed. Counseling services will be available upon request, and free drug testing kits will be handed out by the Suffolk County Police Department.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please visit http://linews.walkradio.com.

ABOUT WALK 97.5

WALK 97.5 has been a part of the Long Island community for more than 50 years. The radio stations value to the community goes beyond music and entertainment, putting a large emphasis on information and public service with an expanding news department and more than two hours per week dedicated to public service messages. A large portion of the WALK staff have been employed with the radio station for more than 10 years and the entire staff considers Long Island their home.