Massapequa Takes Action (MTA), the Massapequa School District's substance abuse prevention task force, invites all community members to attend an open forum Feb. 8 for the purpose of reviewing and discussing the PRIDE Substance Abuse survey results. The presentation will be held at 7 p.m. in the Massapequa High School Baldwin Auditorium.

PRIDE, Inc. is the national drug prevention organization that developed the questionnaire used in the survey. More than 3,800 students, 640 parents and 560 teachers participated in the survey to determine the extent and nature of drug and alcohol use by adolescents in Massapequa.

Survey results find that youth report drug use in primarily two locations: in the home of a friend, and at "other places" in the community. Very little use is reported at school or on school grounds. Although fewer drugs are consumed during school hours, the survey shows that Massapequa parents, students and teachers are very concerned about drug and alcohol use by teens. The easy availability of drugs and alcohol remains a major problem as increased availability generally leads to increased use.

Join the Massapequa Schools for this important discussion as they strive to make Massapequa a drug free community.