Members of the Three Village Central School District middle and high school coaching staff recently completed a pilot training program that put them on the front line of defense against substance use and abuse by student-athletes. 

The program, which was created by Suffolk County Legislator Kara Hahn, included a 75-minute course that had been developed in collaboration with Stony Brook University’s Center for Prevention and Outreach and LICADD. The initiative provided coaches with the tools to recognize the warning signs of opioid, alcohol, marijuana and liquid nicotine abuse. Using role-playing scenarios and dialogue, the coaches learned different ways to recognize if an athlete has a problem and provided information on the resources available to assistant those in need. 

Based on the success of the program, Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone, announced at a press conference at Ward Melville High School that the program will now be expanded to the coaches at all Suffolk middle and high schools.