Too Good For Drugs Program

Mangano & Mulvey Announce
Implementation of “Too Good For Drugs Program”


Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey were joined by Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence’s (LICADD) Executive Director Jeffrey Reynolds today at a press conference where they announced the implementation of the “Too Good for Drugs Program,” which was created in 1978 by the Mendez Foundation.

“Too Good For Drugs” (TGFD) is a school based prevention program for kindergarten through 12th grade. It builds on students’ resiliency by teaching them how to be socially competent and autonomous problem solvers. TGFD K-8 has a separate, developmentally appropriate curriculum for each grade level, which include emotional competency skills, social and resistance skills, goal setting and decision making skills. TGFD from 9th to 12th grade is designed to reduce risk factors and enhance protective factors related to alcohol, tobacco and other drug use among students. Each curriculum builds on earlier grade levels, an instructional design which enables students to learn important skills sequentially and retain them year after year.

The “Too Good For Drugs Program” is an evidenced based program that has been widely recognized for its successes and is currently in over 2,500 school districts, substance abuse treatment agencies and community organizations in 50 states. Studies conducted in elementary, middle and high schools have evidenced positive effects on risk and protective factors relating to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use/violence. The TGFD program was effective for students regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, and ethnic background. Positive effects on substance use and protective factors continued to be evidenced both short and long term.

This initiative is the County Executive’s third prong in an approach to combating the current heroin epidemic that is claiming the lives of many residents here in Nassau. The County Executive announced on February 11th the first two prongs of his approach to combating heroin here in Nassau which are: his Enforcement initiative entitled Operation H.A.L.T. (Heroin Abuse Location Targeting), which targets heroin users traveling in and out of the county to purchase heroin; and his Awareness initiative which was the creation and dissemination of an ad campaign which is aimed at getting the attention of parents about the current heroin epidemic.

“Just as you can not spend your way out of deficit, we have learned you can not arrest your way out of a heroin epidemic,” said County Executive Mangano. “Education is one of the best ways to prevent our children from heading down a very dangerous path. The implementation of this proven program in our community will help give our children the tools they need to resist this very hazardous lifestyle that often leads to tragic circumstances.”

“Today (March 1st) and tomorrow (March 2nd) the Mendez Foundation will provide training to many school officials, substance abuse professionals and law enforcement personnel at our Nassau County Police Academy,” said Commissioner Mulvey. “Attendees will be trained to implement the program, including the program components, and will cover how the lessons are set-up and the importance of delivering with fidelity. In addition, the training will provide sample lessons delivered by the trainers and by the participants. The two day training program will be paid for using Nassau County Police Asset Forfeiture funds.”

“This proactive approach to combating the current heroin epidemic will allow us to educate our children from with age appropriate material that will yield results for years to come,” said County Executive Mangano. “I would like to thank LICADD for their advice and assistance as we continue to work together towards eradicating heroin use from our communities.”

LICADD’s Executive Director Jeffrey Reynolds stated: "Nassau County clearly understands the need to both address the supply side of our current heroin crisis and the demand side simultaneously. Too Good For Drugs starts the educational process early and gives young people the knowledge and skills necessary to avoid alcohol and other drugs as they approach adolescence. We thank County Executive Mangano and the Nassau County Police Department for bringing this evidence-based intervention to Long Island. We know it will help save lives."