Cover photo: Officials light the Town Hall cupola purple (Credit – Matt Meduri)
In 2019, the Town of Islip became a state and national trailblazer by “going purple” every September, an initiative aimed at raising awareness and promoting resources for those suffering from substance abuse and mental health disorders.
The Town kicks off every September by hosting a resource fair at Town Hall, lining streets with purple flags and lights, and even lighting the Town Hall’s cupola purple throughout the month. Resources are provided by community organizations, such as Youth Enrichment Services (YES), local hospitals, and other non-profits.
The Town “went purple” last Wednesday evening at Town Hall.
“To some, it seems like just lighting a purple bulb or hanging a flag,” said Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip). “But someone just last night asked what was going on. It gives you the opportunity to talk about the issue that people are sometimes reluctant to bring up.”
Indeed, the most pressing aspect of the overall mental health and substance abuse crisis is that of the stigma surrounding them, a battle that municipalities and communities have been fighting through education and communication.
“Overdoses continue to be one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in Suffolk County. Emergency departments and physician practices see the ripple effect daily,” said Eric Decena, Executive Vice Chairman of Emergency Management at Good Samaritan University Hospital (pictured above). “Addiction is a mental medical condition, not a moral failing. Just as we treat diabetes or heart disease, substance abuse disorder requires evidence-based treatment, compassion, and support.”
Decena described medication-assisted treatments, peer-to-peer support groups, social work, and rehabilitation and detox services as pathways for those struggling.
“Nobody walks this path alone,” said Brian Pritchard, Vice President of Ambulatory Operations at South Oaks Hospital. “This isn’t just a number; it’s people saved, families back together, and futures found again. Progress is the chance for something new, and it shows so much how much our caring really matters.”
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) said that of the many notes that “comes across” his desk on any day, some of the “saddest” are the ones he gets from the County Medical Examiner’s Office.
“At one point, we had over four hundred deaths in this county from drug overdose. Those numbers, thank God, are going down, but treatment and prevention are very important,” said Romaine. “Addiction is treatable and there is life afterwards.”
Chris Coluccio, President of the Christopher A. Coluccio Foundation (pictured above), spoke emotionally of the mental health aspect of “going purple”, discussing how last month was the four-year anniversary of the loss of his son, Christopher, to suicide.
“Christopher was a wonderful and bright child who was adored by so many, but like many of us, he struggled in silence,” said Coluccio. “He didn’t understand that if looked around and just asked for help, that he would have found an entire community of people who would have stopped everything and put their lives on hold to help him.”
Coluccio added that he “always knew” he lived in a “truly special place”, but hadn’t realized “just how wonderful” the community is until his son’s passing.
“These are communities like no other in the world,” said Coluccio. “It’s more than just a purple flag, ribbon, tie, or pin; it’s a message. A message that you do not have to suffer or grieve in silence anymore because this community wants to listen. It wants to be part of your healing. If you think you are, you just have to look around through the sea of purple this September and know that this wonderful community wants to be there for you.”
Megan O’Donnell, Division Chief of Criminal Investigations of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office (pictured above), spoke on behalf of D.A. Ray Tierney (R).
“It’s important to not only get past the stigma, but talk about the issue,” said O’Donnell, thanking the Town for “making such a bold and public statement.”
Finally, a member of the community shared her testimony. Yisel, 16 (pictured above), grew up in Hempstead and began abusing substances by the age of eleven, starting with nicotine. Soon after, it became marijuana and alcohol, later escalating to cocaine.
“My use was impacting mentally, emotionally, educationally, as well as with my family relationships,” said Yisel. “It became a part of my life and a daily routine. My negative behavior started to worsen as my substance abuse began to worsen.”
Yisel said that since starting treatment at Outreach, her life has “changed for the better.”
“I am proud to say that I have been sober for five months. Outreach has helped me build better communication and trust skills,” said Yisel. “I’m working every day to continue my sobriety and build a healthier and happier life. There have been many days where I’ve wanted to give up or felt defeated, but with guidance and support from my peers and counselors, I’m able to make it through the tough days.”
Yisel imparted advice to those struggling with substance abuse.
“Every day is a baby step. No matter how small it is, it’s still a process. Recovery is possible.”
Officials then gathered to flip the switch and turn Town Hall’s cupola purple. Carpenter (pictured above left) and Romaine (pictured above right) were joined by Islip Town Councilmen John Lorenzo (C-West Sayville), Jorge Guadron (D-Central Islip), and Mike McElwee (R-West Islip), as well as Town Tax Receiver Andy Wittman (R-Sayville) and Town Clerk Linda Vavricka (R-West Islip).
Present also were Suffolk County Legislators Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville), Trish Bergin (R-East Islip), Steve Flotteron (R-Brightwaters), Rebecca Sanin (D-Huntington Station), and Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park), as well as Assemblyman Mike Durso (R-Massapequa Park) and a representative for Senator Monica Martinez (D-Brentwood).
