My Turn Annie Colonna The Warwick Valley Prevention Coalition has done a lot, but more, much more, needs to be done. Join us

The Warwick Valley Prevention Coalition applauds and joins Warwick Working Together in planning a community discussion about the opioid crisis.
Since 2009, under the leadership of the Warwick Valley Community Center, the Warwick Valley Prevention Coalition has been a voice for those suffering from substance use disorder and their families.
• We have worked to reduce stigma in our community by educating about the disorder, have provided information on resources for prevention, treatment and recovery in our community and worked with elected officials to change policy on a county level regarding the availability of various substances, which are especially dangerous to our youth.
• We have worked closely with the Town of Warwick Police Department and the Warwick Valley School District to provide prevention services to youth and all community members who are at risk.
• In 2017, the Town of Warwick Police collected more than 800 pounds of unused prescription drugs, including opioids, through the department's 24-hour disposal box. This box became available in 2016 through the efforts of the Warwick Valley Prevention Coalition.
• Like Warwick Working Together, we also believe that “advocacy and grassroots efforts can make a difference in addressing the real nature of the threat communities like ours are up against.”
That is why the Warwick Valley Prevention Coalition is committed to supporting the community discussion and panel.
We will have coalition members from the New York State National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Council participating in this important event, as well as representation from the Town of Warwick Police, among other coalition members.
• The Warwick Valley Prevention Coalition also meets monthly to address these important topics and sponsors various events throughout the year to reduce substance use disorder.
Our mission is to reduce alcohol and marijuana abuse among youth and to prevent initiation into all drug use, including opioids and especially heroin, by encouraging wise and healthy decisions by all community members.
We meet the fourth Thursday of every month at the Warwick Valley Community Center, 11 Hamilton Ave., at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 845 986-6422 ext. 4.
• On Friday, Feb. 23, I, in my role as Coalition Coordinator, will introduce the film, “Chasing Heroin,” at the Albert Wisner Library at 7 p.m. This powerful examination of the heroin crisis first aired on PBS program, Frontline.
• It is an important introduction to the panel’s discussion on March 9.
Please plan to attend both events, and make time to attend the monthly Warwick Valley Prevention Coalition meetings.

Annie Colonna is the Warwick Valley Prevention Coalition Coordinator and the director of Prevention Services at the Warwick Valley Community Center. She can be reached at anniecolonna11@gmail.com or by calling the office at 845 986-6422.