The Levittown Council of PTA's Health and Safety Task Force conducted a presentation on Clinical Signs of Drug Use and Abuse on Monday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Levittown Memorial Education Center Auditorium.

Parent Teacher Association Council members, Levittown School Board President James Moran and members of the community were in attendance.

The keynote speaker was Detective Marc A. Timpano of the Forensic Evidence Bureau of the Nassau County Police Department. Detective Timpano is a 21-year veteran assigned to the Police Crime Laboratory. He explained that currently the Nassau Crime Lab is only one of two police labs in the country that is solely staffed by police officers and gave an overview of the laboratory functions.

Detective Timpano, a Nassau resident and the father of three children explained that the purpose of the presentation was to review the aspects of drug abuse and "focus on concerns you as parents may have." Using a PowerPoint presentation, a drug paraphernalia display and distributed literature, Detective Timpano reviewed the description, mode of administration, and clinical effects regarding drugs of abuse. He further described the negative physiological and psychological effects one can experience and their identifying aspects when abusing narcotics, stimulants, depressants, steroids and other drugs. He recommended that legally prescribed controlled substances such as painkillers should be secured in the household and discarded when no longer in use.

Detective Timpano reported that the number of kids who abuse drugs and alcohol increases with those who are not involved with organized after-school activities and have no adult supervision.

He also stated "the leading cause of death in teenagers is alcohol related." The presentation concluded with a question and answer session.