Sunday, June 15, 2025
With Memorial Day marking the unofficial start of summer — and the beginning of what safety experts call the “100 Deadliest Days” for teen drivers — community leaders gathered at the Oceanside Library on Friday morning to address underage drinking, impaired driving and the critical role families play in prevention.
The news conference, hosted by the Oceanside SAFE Coalition, a community-based organization formed in 2015 in response to alarming youth suicide and substance-related deaths, hosted the conference, bringing together government officials, law enforcement, and prevention experts to tackle the pressing challenges.
“Our collective mission is to prevent and reduce underage drinking and substance misuse among Oceanside youth,” said Allison Eriksen, project coordinator for Oceanside SAFE. “With the summer months approaching and celebratory yet high-risk times ahead of us, it’s crucial to highlight the impact that social access and community norms have on our youth.”
Speakers included Congresswoman Laura Gillen, Assemblyman Ari Brown. Legislator Patrick Mullaney, Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, Nassau County Deputy Chief of detectives William Leahy Executive Director of Long Beach AWARE Judi Vining and Executive Director of Long Beach AWARE.
Eriksen cited results from the Coalition data found the top four ways students in grades 7–12 obtain alcohol are: at parties, from underage friends, through retail establishments, or from a parent or guardian with permission.
“If we understand the culture and the subcultures within our community, we can better address the issues at hand,” she said.
The social host law emerged as a critical tool in prevention, with local officials emphasizing the legal and moral responsibilities of adults. Penalties can include significant fines and jail for those who knowingly allow underage drinking on their property.
“Long Beach was the first community in New York State to have a social host law,” Vining said. “There are now 18 counties, and I think 37 communities that have laws based on the Long Beach law.”
Gillen, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, unveiled a “comprehensive roadway safety strategy” last month. Her plan includes increased resources for law enforcement, infrastructure investments, and keeping impaired drivers off the road.
She emphasized that traffic safety is just as urgent as substance prevention, especially in the summer months when fatal crashes spike. She called attention to Long Island’s troubling distinction: “One in five deaths from a car crash in New York happens here.”
Practical advice was abundant, including recommendations to lock up alcohol, communicate with other parents, and create open lines of communication with teenagers.
“The first step is to stop being your child’s friend,” said Assemblyman Ari Brown. “Stop saying, ‘As long as they’re doing it under my roof.’ That message has to stop. If you suspect anything, don’t hand them the keys,” Brown said. “Sometimes tough love is what they need.”
An upcoming June 9th program will provide further details on the social host law, offering parents additional tools and insights into protecting their children. As summer approaches, the message was clear: prevention, communication, and community involvement are key to keeping teens safe during these high-risk months.
“We need every part of our community working together—legislation, enforcement, parenting, schools—to protect our kids,” Vining said.
