CASAC Annual Meeting Notes

The Capital Area Substance Abuse Council celebrated another year in substance abuse prevention at the Annual Meeting which was held October 17th at the St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield. Martha Jackson, Board President, began the evening welcoming everyone and thanking those individuals who had done outstanding work within their communities in the past year. 

Select keynote speakers sent compelling messages about the importance of keeping “our” youth safe from the dangers of substance abuse, other addictive behaviors, and risky behaviors through talking more about these issues in our homes, schools, and faith communities.

Suzanne Goldberg, President of the Avon Community of Concern, addressed how concerns for the dangers of substance abuse and importance of promoting healthy living to Avon’s youth prompted the 1998 beginnings of Avon’s Community of Concern Task Force. 

Brian Peterson, of the Connecticut Prison Association, a strong advocate for substance abuse in Hartford, spoke about his work in the community with providing resources to youth encouraging them to be productive citizens as they complete their prison sentence and return to society. 

The third keynote speaker of the evening, Connie Jascowski, founding member of !MPACT (Mourning Parents ACT, Inc. ), spoke about the death of her son Joey DuMouchel, who was killed on Dec. 17, 2002 while driving too fast on his way home from school and lost control of his car after hitting black ice. Connie stressed the importance of working together as a community to eliminate such tragedies through awareness, education, and legislation.

The meeting continued with Mirelle Freedman, CASAC’s Executive Director welcoming Senator Jonathon Harris (D, Senate District 5) and presenting the Annual Report.

Linda Peterson, the Awards Chair, was then introduced and awards were presented to the following deserving individuals:
  • Avon - "Community Mobilization Award" - Avon High School Community of Concern Substance Abuse Task Force
  • Bloomfield - "Mentoring Award" - Mark Mitchell and Yolanda Jenkins
  • Bloomfield/Windsor - "Legislative Award" Representative Faith McMahon
  • Bloomfield - "Youth Role Model Award" - Michael Reaves, Jr.
  • Farmington - "Mentoring Award" - Maria Macaro
  • Farmington - "Community Intervention Award" - Jeff Cohan
  • Hartland - "Youth Education Award" - Veronica Alicata
  • Newington - "Community Education Award" - !MPACT
  • Rocky Hill, - "Community Volunteer" - The Blasko Family
  • West Hartford - "Business Recognition Award" - Mark Luster
  • Windsor - "Law Enforcement Award" - Sergeant Christopher McKee

Outgoing Board Members, Mark Luster, Linda Peterson, Representative Faith McMahon, and Detective Alex Monico received awards for their dedication and service on behalf of substance abuse prevention. 

Executive Director, Mirelle Freedman, then presented the slate of officers for 2006-07:
President: Martha Jackson
Vice-President: Scott Guay
Treasurer: Wally Gracia
Secretary: Peter Black
At-Large: Ingrid Helander and Laurie Mucciacciaro

The following were also installed as the Board of Directors:
Pat Devendorf, Joan Biagioni, Chief Betsy Hard, Hebe Kudisch, Jane Johnson, Ellen Gobell, Marcus Fink, Lori Stanczyc, Joanne St. Peter, Connie Jascowski, Carolyn Luce, Nilda Fernandez, Marcus Fink, Jane Johnson, Mark Kaczynski, Scott Lingenfelter, Carla Marciano, Laurie Maulucci, Clifford Preen, and Eilleen K. Walker.

The evening concluded with Martha Jackson, Board President, inspiring everyone to keep talking to our youth about substance abuse prevention as CASAC moves along for another year!