Northpointe Council, Inc. - Prevention, Treatment, & Recovery

12/01/2025

🧤 Can you help bring Holiday Cheer to our First Step Center Clients this holiday season?
View Amazon Wish List Below ⬇️

Suggested items include:
Warm Clothing (Sweaters, Coats, Gloves, Socks)
Hygiene (Shampoo, Toothpaste, Soap)
Bedding (Twin Sheets, Blankets, Pillows)
Comforts (Journals, Water Bottles)
Seasonal Treats & Holiday Goodies

🎁 First Step Center Holiday

11/24/2025

Congratulations to Helena Sikieva, CASAC2 and Program Director of Northpointe Council’s Comprehensive Outpatient Program! 🎉

We’re thrilled to share that Helena has been selected for a 2025 Gold Key Award, honoring outstanding contributions to substance use disorder prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction in Western New York.

Nominated by Northpointe’s VP Kathryn Kaiser, Helena was recognized for her exceptional leadership, expertise, and unwavering dedication to strengthening the COP Program. From guiding staff to improving processes, her impact is felt by both her team and the people they serve every day.

We’re so proud to celebrate Helena—please join us in congratulating her on this well-deserved honor! 🌟👏

11/13/2025

🎁 Troy is here to tell you about our Holiday Wish List for our First Step Center Clients.

View Amazon Wish List Below ⬇️

Suggested items include:
Warm Clothing (Sweaters, Coats, Gloves, Socks)
Hygiene (Shampoo, Toothpaste, Soap)
Bedding (Twin Sheets, Blankets, Pillows)
Comforts (Journals, Water Bottles)
Seasonal Treats & Holiday Goodies

11/04/2025

In honor of Veterans Day coming up we wanted to take a moment to recognize the Veterans from our team that have proudly served our country. We appreciate you today & everyday. Thank you 🇺🇸

Cris Titta - Northpointe Council Executive Assistant – served in the US Navy from 1975 through 1980, Personnelman.

Marlon Thornton Northpointe Council Vice President of Residential Services – served in the US Army from 1983 through 1990, SGT-P.

Paul Bax Northpointe Council Impaired Driver Program Instructor – served in the US Army as a Specialist E-5 from 1966 through 1968 and US Air Guard as a Sergeant from 1976 through 1978.

Jeff Peresie Northpointe Council Addictions Counselor – served in the US Air Force from 1978 through 1982 and New York Air National Guard from 1982 through 1998, retired as a Master Sergeant.

Earl Pugh Northpointe Council First Step Center Nurse – served in the US Army from 1994 through 2000, Specialist.

Dr. Michael Galante - Northpointe Council’s Incoming Medical Director – Serving in the US Air Force Services starting in 2008 through Current with 4 years in active duty and 1 deployment, Current rank is Lieutenant Colonel.

Serving in the US Air Force During his active duty, he served as the Medical Director for the US Air Force’s highest volume Emergency Department while deploying as a Critical Care Transport Team Physician evacuating the most seriously ill and injured service members from the Middle East and Europe back to the United States. Dr. Galante is now the Critical Care Transport Team Commander and the lead for the Niagara Falls 914th Aeromedical Staging Squadron.

John Copas Northpointe Council Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner – served in the US Marine Corp from 1996 through 2006 and currently serving in the US Air Force starting in 2011 through Current, Current rank is Major.

Christopher Barone - Northpointe Council Nurse Practitioner – served in the US Air Force Reserves from 1995 through 2020, retired Major.

John Redmond - Northpointe Council Nurse Practitioner – served in the US Army from 1992 through 2010 and US Air Force from 2010 through 2022, Deployments in Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar. Retired Lieutenant Colonel.

Franco Scarpelli - Northpointe Council Nurse Practitioner – served in the US Air Force Reserves from 1999 through 2019, Retired Major.

Anthony Scarpelli - Northpointe Council First Step Center Building Maintenance – served in the US Air Force from 1979 through 2003, Master Sergeant.

10/31/2025

🍬🛑 Red Ribbon Week Wrap-Up – Halloween Safety! 🍬🛑
As you enjoy Halloween, remember: some candy-like products are to***co or cannabis edibles, designed to lure youth. They are not safe.

Use today to reinforce drug-free messages, help youth spot risky products, and celebrate making healthy choices. Every piece of the puzzle counts!

10/30/2025

Be Aware of Targeted Marketing 🚫
To***co and cannabis companies are targeting youth with sweet edibles, flavored vapes, and colorful packaging. These products are designed to appeal to kids—but they carry serious health risks.

Talk with your family today about how to spot these marketing tricks and make safe, informed choices.

10/29/2025

By making healthy choices and staying drug-free, you’re creating a brighter, more complete puzzle for your future. Setting goals helps guide each piece into place, showing you the path to your dreams and achievements.

Take a moment today to commit to yourself, your health, and your future—you’re shaping a masterpiece, and we can’t wait to see it come together! 🧩💛

10/28/2025

Just like every puzzle piece is unique, so are you! Staying drug-free means protecting your health and embracing what makes you special. You don’t need drugs to fit in—the best puzzles shine when all the pieces are unique but fit together beautifully.

Celebrate your uniqueness today and add another positive piece to your life’s big picture! 🌟💛

10/27/2025

This year’s 🔴Red Ribbon Week🔴 theme is “Life Is A Puzzle, Solve It Drug Free.” Every healthy choice you make is like adding a perfect piece to your life’s puzzle. By staying drug-free, you’re showing the world—and yourself—how much you value your health, your community, and your dreams.

Every positive choice helps you build a masterpiece where you can reach for the stars and achieve your goals. Keep adding those bright, strong pieces to your puzzle—we believe in you! 💛🧩

10/26/2025

🎀 Red Ribbon Week 2025 🎀
Northpointe Council is proud to continue our tradition of celebrating Red Ribbon Week by hosting a spirit week all week long! 🧩💪

Red Ribbon Week began in 1985 after the tragic loss of DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who was killed while fighting drug trafficking. Communities across the nation started wearing red ribbons to honor his memory and raise awareness about living drug-free. Since then, RRW has become the largest drug prevention campaign in the country, reminding everyone—especially youth—that every healthy choice is a piece of the puzzle for a bright future.

This year’s theme, “Life Is a Puzzle. Solve It Drug Free.”, perfectly reflects why we participate: by encouraging kids and families to make positive choices, we help build strong, resilient communities. ❤️

10/25/2025

💊 Happening Today! 💊
National Drug Take Back Day | 10 AM – 2 PM

Safely dispose of unused or expired medications and help keep Niagara County safe!

📍 Niagara County Sheriff’s Office @ Lockport Memorial Hospital
📍 North Tonawanda Police Dept @ DeGraff Memorial Hospital

No questions asked. No cost. Just a safe, simple way to make a difference! ❤️