Alcohol & Drug Awareness Council of Orange County

12/01/2025

On Monday, 11/24, Valley Central Prevention Specialist Natalie Gatto held a Spin the Wheel at Valley Central High School. Over 300 students engaged with the table, and she had 12 student volunteers to assist with the event! The students (and some staff) were asked questions about themselves that inspired positive thinking and coping strategies. Prizes were given to anyone who participated! One student even told her that “this was the reason I came to school today”. We are so lucky to do this work!

Valley Central School District

11/25/2025

Are you enrolled in Medicaid? You may be eligible for free services! Check out the flyers below for more information on housing support, food & nutrition and transportation.

NYSDOH – Medicaid

11/24/2025

A Community Resource Day was held at the Lake Street Apartment complex for seniors and families in September. ADAC Prevention Specialist, Eileen Buckley provided on the spot Narcan trainings and information on safe drug disposal. Organizations also provided prizes for a raffle and children enjoyed activities that were provided. Participants and agencies enjoyed the music provided and SNUG Newburgh cooked hamburgers and hotdogs for everyone!

11/20/2025

On October 21st, Heritage Middle School in New Windsor, part of the Enlarged City School District, celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a resource fair for scholars and their families. ADAC Prevention Specialist, Eileen Buckley, provided information to teens on the "TEXT for Teens" program and information for parents on the importance of talking with your children about substances.

The middle school students who attended were very interested in the information all agencies provided, and they proudly showed off their Red Ribbon Week banner that TEAM Newburgh Community Coalition had brought to their school earlier that day. Every student had an opportunity to sign the banner with what is important to them!

11/18/2025

We need your input! OCDOH and our community partners have identified five key health issues in Orange County. Now you tell us: which one do YOU think is most important?

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ochealth2025

Orange County, NY Department of Health

11/14/2025

On October 29th, 2025, during the Middletown School District Wellness Committee Meeting, The Middletown school district IMPACT Prevention Specialist, Wanda Febus-Marrero presented a special recognition gift to a group of exemplary scholars who participated in a unique community initiative.

The scholars recorded powerful audio messages during October, National Substance Abuse Month. The scholars recorded powerful audio messages that were broadcasted on local radio stations, emphasizing the importance of remaining drug and alcohol-free. Their efforts help reinforce positive messaging to their peers and community well-being. Present during the recognition were MaryAlice Kovatch, Co-Executive Director of the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Council (ADAC), David Coats, Middletown School District Athletic Director, Cynthia Ilardi, IMPACT Prevention Supervisor (ADAC), Justine Schwab, Prevention Specialist Supervisor (ADAC).

"We are incredibly proud of these students for using their voices to promote healthy choices within our community," said MaryAlice Kovatch, ADAC, Co-Executive Director. 🎙️🎧

11/12/2025

On October 7th, Meadow Hill School in the Newburgh Enlarged City School District held a Hispanic Heritage Celebration for scholars and their families. ADAC Prevention Specialist Eileen Buckley brought information for parents on the "Talk They Hear You" program and Text for Teens for students. Parents and staff were also provided Deterra, safe medication disposal bags.

11/10/2025

On October 3rd, 2025, the Town of Newburgh Recreation Department held a Senior Wellness Fair at Chadwick Lake Park. Over 50 seniors attended and received information from ADAC Prevention Specialist, Eileen Buckley, on Safe Medication Disposal, the WISE program and other topics for seniors!

11/08/2025

🎨📝 Our 39th Annual Substance Use Prevention Poster and 8th Annual Prevention Essay Contest is underway! 🎨📝 Our theme this year is:

English theme: "Picture Your Future Through a Drug Free Lens"
Spanish theme: "Imagina Tu Futuro Desde una Perspectiva Libre De Dr**as"

All youth in grades 1-12 are invited to participate in this important awareness campaign. Each year, we receive more than 1500 submissions from young people throughout our community. Please share with all young people you work with in school, recreational activities, after school clubs, and beyond. We want every young person to have the chance to participate and be recognized for their support of a healthy lifestyle. Cash prizes available! Entry form (provided below) must be included with each poster or essay.

Check out the flyers below for more details. Questions can be emailed to prevention@adacinfo.com! 🎨📝

11/07/2025

On Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025, ADAC kicked off Red Ribbon Week at our Red Ribbon Tying Ceremony outside the Orange County Government Center! The ribbons were displayed on the trees through RRW from October 23rd through November 1st. 🎀

We would like to thank our ADAC staff including Red Ribbon Coordinator Arabia Shearn for organizing the event and others for helping with preparation. We would also like to give thanks to those who donated/sponsored bows and/or spoke at the event. Thank you to Orange County Government officials who joined us, as well as NYS OASAS for attending and honoring our Executive Director, Jim Conklin, with a certificate of appreciation! We would also like to thank the students from The ACT Group INC. who gave an amazing performance at our ceremony. Thank you to the students throughout the county who joined together to show their support of youth prevention in Orange County!

The Red Ribbon Campaign is the nation's largest and longest-running drug prevention campaign, in memory of DEA Agent "Kiki" Camarena. Red Ribbon Week inspires millions of people around the world to live a positive, drug-free life and to always try to make a difference in your community. The campaign raises awareness for the prevention of drug and substance misuse. Remember, "Life is a Puzzle, Solve it Drug Free!" 🧩

📸 MORE PHOTOS 📸 from the tying and kick-off ceremonies can be found on our public Flickr albums: https://www.flickr.com/people/adacofoc/

Orange County Government

11/06/2025

On Wednesday, October 22nd, ADAC Prevention Specialist Wanda Febus-Marrero had a Red Ribbon Week-themed trunk at Middletown High School's Fall Festival! "Life is a Puzzle, Solve it Drug Free!" ❤️🎀

11/03/2025