Rondequoter

Ginny Nacy is a founding member of Uplift Irondequoit (formerly Drug-Free Irondequoit: Together).  Ginny was the guiding force behind creating a coalition with the mission to establish and strengthen collaboration among many community partners (Government, Schools, Rotary, Health Organizations, Religious Leaders, etc.)  in order to support programs and activities related to the prevention, education and reduction of YOUTH substance use.  Uplift Irondequoit (UI) is now the primary community advocate for prevention and reduction of youth substance use in Irondequoit and seeks to create a safe and heathy environment for all in the community.

Ginny talked about the devastating event that led to her goal of starting a community coalition:  the loss of her son Patrick to an overdose on the day before her daughter's wedding. 

Addiction (to many things) is a habit that can start early in childhood so UI is focused on delaying or preventing addictive tendencies among youth.  Research shows that early use of tobacco, cannabis, etc. can alter the brain development in youth and make it harder for them to deal with addiction in later life.  So keeping kids off drugs as long as possible is the goal.  The organization is primarily funded by government grants:  Drug-Free Communities Grant (focus on nicotine/tobacco/marijuana use especially through vape devices), State Opioid Response Grant (focus on opioid overdose crisis), and NYS OASIS Special Populations Grant (focus on substance use prevention among the LGBTQ+ community).  

The coalition has 2.5 staff members and is very active with media campaigns & programs to educate parents and youth on prevention of substance use:  Drug Take-Back Days, media campaigns on impaired driving, vaping does not relieve stress, substance safety at home (talk. monitor. dispose.), Prom information especially Good Samaritan Law.  A recent drug take back day produced 275 pounds of medication out of the community along with sharps and vapes.  Marijuana does not have a "DWI Test" equivalent to alcohol so DWI with marijuana is harder to police without Drug Recognition Experts (DRE's).  Irondequoit has 2 DRE's.  Both Irondequoit public schools have had students suspended for selling drugs in school.  Promotional & packaging material is especially developed for packaging gummies to youth so the job of the coalition is getting harder all the time as marijuana is legalized.  Irondequoit has approved both dispensaries and lounges for cannabis.  Ginny showed the group several "Hidden in Plain Sight" examples:  coke cans, deodorant, water bottles that look and feel normal but actually contain hidden compartments for hiding drugs.  This material is part of UI's regularly held parent education events.

Although primary funding is through government grants, UI currently is conducting an Annual Appeal and will be involved in ROC the Day.  The organization is also looking for new Board Members,.  If interested, see Ginny or Jim Kozlowski or Terri Corrigan-Bastuk who are currently on the organization's Board of Directors.

Many contributions for:  Ginny Nacy our speaker tonight, the Rappl sisters being with us, the very successful Pasta Dinner, Issac Elliott's cousin passing away, and the upcoming Major General Norb Rappl dedications.

Lori Martinez: Daughter's birthday

Kenn Van Dieren:  New PH+ pin 

Lee Steinfeldt:  her friend Lorenzo helping out at the Pasta Dinner

Dick Butler: missing Pasta Dinner but traveled cross country is a very old car.

Tom Kosanke:  1st place in a rowing competition

Issac Elliot:  thankful to club for such support during this difficult time of his cousin passing away

Lynn Wozniak:  forgetting to bring change to Pasta Dinner and having to spray one person (unnamed) with hose for putting dirty pans in clean area of her dishwashing station.

Bob Scheidt:  volunteers doing a great job and 1700+ happy customers at Pasta Dinner

Lou DiPrima:  pouring scalding water on toe but having emergency help from co-workers 

Terri Corrigan-Bastuk:  attending a "Kennedy-type" wedding in Buffalo

Sarah Mormino:  Sicilian Sports Club welcomes Irondequoit Rotary as part of their family

Ginny Nacy:  for our clubs continual support for Uplift Irondequoit

Lily Lynch:  group from Spain coming for her work, her sister's birthday, and a successful Halloween party

Stephen Schwock:  getting to yell "Meatballs" to Louis DiPrima at Pasta Dinner and $40 for IOU's from previously not having $

Laurie Rappl:  thanks to the club for support over the years and now understanding why General Rappl never missed a meeting.