Rockville Centre Youth Council unmasks substance abuse

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Hundreds of masks made by a dozen organizations were on display at the Rockville Centre Youth Council’s event, where their incoming officers were also inducted for next year.

In partnership with the Rockville Center Coalition for Youth, the Youth Council put together the Unmask the Truth event, their 7th annual substance abuse awareness campaign, on the night of June 15 at the Sandel Senior Center.

Around 75 guests came by to view the more than 150 masks made by the Youth Council and Coalition for Youth, as well as students from South Side High School and Middle School and members of Students Against Destructive Decisions, Mercy Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Outpatient Department, Molloy College Art Department, Adelphi University Center for Innovative Health, Rockville Centre Lions, the Sandel Senior Center, Vineyard Church, The Art Studio, Leggz and the Youth Dynamics Community.

“Substance abuse looks normal on the outside, but may be damaging on the inside,” said Lucy Downing, a 10th grader who was sworn in as secretary for the Youth Council that evening. She created a mask that was human-like on top and skull-like on bottom. Downing said young people do not see the effect of using drugs, especially with vaping and drinking, which she said are particularly rampant and dangerous.

Both are common in South Side High School, says 10th graders Jenna Giacoppo, incoming treasurer, and Danielle Sharp, incoming chair of community service. “Instead of going out on a Friday night to party, we’re going out bowling with the Youth Council,” they added.

“Even if we’re helping one person not choose that [substance abuse], it makes a difference,” said 11th grader Morgan McGuire, incoming co-president.

Along with the masks, freshman Austin Verdejo of Molloy College contributed a poem for the campaign, titled “The Same Face,” which he said is about how people who use drugs are demonized and imprisoned meanwhile they need help. “These are humans, not monsters. And they need help, not prison,” concludes the poem.

Former chair for the Youth Council Beth Hammerman said, “Our goal is to spread the prevention message … Those present [seemed] really moved by the messages on the masks.” She added, “The more prevention awareness … the more successful our community will be in reducing, if not eliminating, this drug epidemic.”

Towards the end of the evening, Mayor Francis Murray swore in the Youth Council’s incoming officers. And, former Rockville Centre police commissioner Charles Gennario was honored with the Arlene and Paul Arden Award.