ABOUT US
History of the Larchmont-Mamaroneck RADAR Coalition
In 1994 a group of concerned parents met with the Mamaroneck High School drug and alcohol counselor to express their concerns about the prevalence of drinking among our teens. As a result of that initial meeting, a school-based task force was created to begin addressing the growing problem of underage drinking. This founding group, led by the high school drug and alcohol counselor, was made up of school personnel, parents, local youth police officers, and the director of the local L-M Community Counseling Center.
In 1996 the task force was officially designated as Responsible Action: A Drug and Alcohol Resource (RADAR). Over the next several years RADAR was instrumental in initiating many school-based programs designed to increase knowledge for both students and parents about the dangers of substance use and abuse, and provided parenting advice and support on these issues as well.
Though increased knowledge of substance-use issues is a vital component of prevention efforts, education alone is not powerful enough to bring about change. Proof of this was evident in the results of the Communities That Care (CTC) Teen Survey that the Mamaroneck School District administered to 6th, 7th, 8th, 10th, and 12th graders in spring 2002 and again in spring 2006. The data from both surveys revealed that despite our energetic prevention efforts, alcohol and marijuana use among our youth continued to rise and remained above the national average.
Many questions were raised within the community on what more could be done to reverse this trend. The results of a timely study on underage drinking provided us with some answers. Released in 2003, the national report “Reducing Underage Drinking: A Collective Responsibility” set the stage for a major shift in the nation’s approach to prevention. The study concluded that in order to be successful in reducing underage drinking, we must focus our efforts not only on youth alone, but also on adults and society at large.
The commitment to reduce underage drinking requires participation by multiple individuals and organizations at the national, state, local, and community levels who are in a position to affect the decisions of our youth. These multiple sectors of the community include all adults (not just parents), alcohol producers, wholesalers and retail outlets, restaurants and bars, entertainment media, government, schools, community organizations, houses of worship and faith-based groups, physicians and the healthcare community, and youth themselves.
RADAR, along with hundreds of other community coalitions across the U.S., has adopted this “multiple strategies over multiple sectors” approach to prevention. RADAR has worked to expand its membership to include a broad representation of individuals and organizations. The coalition’s strategies focus on public policy change, community awareness, education, law enforcement, alternative activities, and awareness of, and support for, treatment and services.
The RADAR coalition serves as a catalyst, convener, and facilitator for community-wide efforts to develop and implement initiatives that are visible, measurable and effective. (See “Initiatives” for information on the specific activities RADAR sponsors.)
In fall 2006 the coalition received a Drug Free Communities (DFC) Support Program grant from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The grant, which is renewable for up to two five-year terms, is awarded to promising coalitions to support their activities, their growth, and their sustainability in their mission to reduce substance use among youth. RADAR has been a not-for-profit corporation (Larchmont-Mamaroneck RADAR, Inc.) since 2008.
We continue to reach out to all public and private sectors with education, support, and resources and welcome participation from all quarters. It is our collective strength and resolve that will empower us as a community to change the culture and social norms in Larchmont-Mamaroneck regarding tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and other drugs so that our youth will make positive choices to avoid substance use
Coalition Structure and Membership
As a not-for-profit organization incorporated in the state of New York, RADAR functions through its officers and board of directors, and maintains a community advisory board to establish its initiatives and serve as a bridge to various community sectors. Committee volunteers with a diverse set of skills and talents execute the coalition’s programs in pursuit of its mission. All community members are invited to contribute their time and abilities to RADAR’s work; contact the coalition president to find out how you can become involved.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Janet Buchbinder
Helene Fremder
Myra Harris
Natalie Rosen
Evan Stern
Nancy Winkelstein
OFFICERS
Janet Buchbinder, President
Nancy Winkelstein, Vice President/Secretary
Treasurer, Myra Harris
COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD: REPRESENTED SECTORS
Education-Parents-Healthcare-Government-Media-Faith-Students-Law Enforcement
Youth-Serving-Business-Civic /Volunteer-Prevention Agencies
INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERS
Mamaroneck UFSD
Village of Larchmont Police Department
Village of Mamaroneck Police Department
Town of Mamaroneck Police Department
Rye YMCA
Larchmont-Mamaroneck Community Counseling Center
Hispanic Resource Center
Guidance Center of Westchester
Iona College Center for Social Research
LMC-TV
STANDING COMMITTEES
Community Outreach and Public Relations
Board Governance and Maintenance
Youth Development
Resource Assessment and Evaluation
Risk and Protective Factors Assessment
Funding
