West Islip COMPASS Honored

West Islip COMPASS, a partnership between the community, parents, schools, and students, which seeks to reduce substance abuse among youth and cultivate healthy attitudes and behaviors, was honored for its hard work, community outreach and successful endeavors.

The Honorable Madeleine A. Fitzgibbon, Presiding Judge of the Suffolk County Drug Treatment Court and Mental Health Court, and Carlton Hall, senior manager of training and technical assistance for Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America's National Coalition Institute, joined with about 75 community coalition partners to honor West Islip COMPASS.

"We have to be the apostles in our own community. Many people who become addicts come from nice homes and solid communities. It's perplexing how they move into alcohol and drug addiction. Young people need all the information we can provide them with and I applaud these school district representatives who are so concerned and caring about the children," said Madeleine A. Fitzgibbon, Presiding Judge of the Suffolk County Drug Treatment Court and Mental Health Court

On behalf of the West Islip School District and West Islip COMPASS coordinator John Mullins, assistant superintendent for human resources Louis Zocchia said, "Success depends on partnerships with parents. What happens after 3:30 p.m. on school days is crucial. COMPASS has assisted West Islip in providing activities that our young people enjoy and learn from, and the means by which to get the messages out. The school district is grateful."