by Yoni Samet ('15)

This week, the juniors and seniors attended a program coordinated by our Guidance Department about the dangers of drinking and what alcohol consumption may lead to.  After an introduction by Rabbi Taubes and some words from Mrs. Tamar Sheffey, our School Social Worker, the main part of the program began.   The speakers were from SAFE, an outpatient addiction clinic in Brooklyn that services the Jewish community and that runs Project SAFE, a school based prevention program. Mr. Yossi Sirote, the Associate Director of Special Programs for SAFE, introduced the keynote speaker, Mr. Joe Cabasso.  Mr. Cabasso was a drug addict who eventually overcame his addiction and he came to tell us his tale.  He grew up in Brooklyn where his parents threw a crazy Purim party every year. When he was just 13, he started drinking with friends at this party, which eventually led to his drinking every Fridaynight and he ultimately became an alcoholic. His drinking led to his experimenting with and then using other drugs and he soon became a full blown drug addict. He poignantly described the hardships and pain that he went through at this time, as he engaged every student in the room. He explained to us about a few of the many dangers brought about by the use of drugs and alcohol. He described to us how he almost lost his family and his business and he also related that a few of his friends actually died because of their alcohol and other drug use.  What was important to hear was that most of his friends that were addicts as teens are still addicts today.  During the question and answer period, students asked many questions and found the speaker's answers fitting and interesting.  The program ended with a video about how drunk driving affects the lives of so many people, even those who are not in the accidents themselves. As we go into Purim, the words of Mr. Cabasso are still ringing in our ears. We hope everyone's Purim is enjoyable and safe.