Manhasset High School’s CASA Youth Club recently produced a fun and educational television game show and public service announcement (PSA) at Public Access Television (PATV) in Lake Success. The show was produced with the support of Manhasset CASA’s Generation Rx: Safe Medication Practices for Life Grant and is one of five television programs produced with PATV through CASA’s grant funding from the Cardinal Health Foundation. The initiative seeks to increase awareness about the dangers and prevention of prescription drug misuse, safe medication use and disposal. “It is a privilege for PATV to be able to support Manhasset CASA’s Safe Medication Practices for Life Program and to be given the opportunity to help reduce opioid and prescription drug misuse in our community,” stated Erica Bradley, Executive Director, PATV.
The CASA Youth Club members, under the leadership of Manhasset Middle School Social Studies Teacher Ms. Traci LeDour, researched and developed the game show’s questions and answers during the school year and organized them in five categories: Facts and Myths, Risks, Stats and Trends, Drug Classifications and Safe Rx Practices. Ivy Jin, President of the Manhasset CASA Youth Club, hosted the show with fellow club members Veronica Larson, Rachel O’Day and Caroline Ryan as contestants. Working with the Teen TV Project at PATV, the all student team recorded the program and a PSA which will air on CASA’s Prevention through Connection Series beginning July 10th on PATV’s Channel 20 (Cablevision) and 37 (Verizon FIOS) on Mondays at 6:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 4:00 p.m. The program is also available on Manhasset CASA’s new website.
In addition to the youth production, Manhasset CASA produced four prevention programs as part of its Generation Rx initiative and featured: Steve Chassman, Long Island Council on Drug Dependence, outlining the current state of prescription drug misuse on Long Island with a focus on family prevention and communication; Howard Jacobson, President of the Long Island Pharmacist Society discussing the importance of the community pharmacy and safe medicine practices in today’s prescription drug epidemic; Steven Dodge, Founder and CEO, The S.L.A.T.E. Project, discussing his addiction to prescription drugs and heroin, his path to recovery and the importance of prevention practices in the community.
PATV also recorded CASA’s recent educational initiative, Generation Rx: Safe Medicine Practices in Today’s Prescription Drug Epidemic for older adults and those who care for them at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock. The additional programs will air in August on PATV’s Channel 20 (Cablevision) and 37 (Verizon FIOS) on Mondays at 6:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 4:00 p.m.
Manhasset CASA’s Safe Medication Practices for Life Generation Rx Grant Initiative provided residents in Manhasset, the Town of North Hempstead and Nassau County with prevention messages for safe use and disposal:
- Only use prescription medications as directed by a health professional
- Never share your prescription medications with others or use someone else’s prescription medications
- Be a good example to those around you by modeling these safe medication-taking practices and discussing the dangers of misusing prescription drugs with your family, friends, colleagues, students, or patients
- Always store your medications securely to prevent others from taking them, and properly dispose of medications that you no longer need
- Residents can DISPOSE of their unwanted medications at any Nassau County Police Department Precinct or Community Center. The disposal bin is located in the lobby
About the Cardinal Health Foundation
The Cardinal Health Foundation supports local, national and international programs that improve health care efficiency, effectiveness and excellence and the overall wellness of the communities where Cardinal Health’s (NYSE:CAH) nearly 37,000 employees live and work. The Cardinal Health Foundation also offers grants to encourage community service among its employees and works through international agencies to donate much-needed medical supplies and funding to those who need them in times of disaster; because Cardinal Health is #AllInForGood. To learn more, visit www.CardinalHealth.com/community and visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CardinalHealthFoundation.
