Officials Acknowledge NYC Drug Education Program for Schoolchildren
(L-R) Meghan Fialkoff, Northeast Executive Director of Foundation for a Drug Free World, Celia Dosamantes, Executive Assistant to Congresswoman Grace Meng, Lionel H. Morales, Director of Communications for Council Member Paul A. Vallone and Dr. Bernard Fialkoff, Founder of Fialkoff Dental Study Club & Queens Chapter of Foundation for a Drug Free World
Congresswoman Grace Meng presented a U.S. House of Representatives Proclamation and New York City Council Member Paul A. Vallone presented a City of New York Proclamation to the Foundation for a Drug-Free World (FDFW) Northeast Chapter last night at the Fialkoff Dental Study Club. Dr. Bernard Fialkoff, Queens Periodontist and Dental Implant Specialist, founded the study club in the mid ‘90s and founded the Foundation for a Drug-Free World Queens Chapter (www.drugfreeworld.org) by running the community service program through his office and educational group. Since 2011, Dr. Fialkoff’s chapter presented more than 300 free drug education events to NYC schools, after-school programs and community centers. In 2006, Meghan Fialkoff, Community Affairs Director at Dr. Fialkoff’s office, founded the Northeast Chapter of Foundation for a Drug-Free World. Together, they have presented more than 600 free drug education events, pledging in more than 50,000 students in the Youth Drug-Free Pledge in the past eight years. Congresswoman Meng and Councilman Vallone’s presentations acknowledged their work and the significance of professionals taking part in vital programs like these.
Congresswoman Meng’s proclamation states, “The Northeast Chapter of FDFW’s focus on youth education, community development and commitment to cultural diversity is what builds long-lasting bonds among people and communities.” She also declared June 4, 2014 as “The Northeast Chapter of Foundation for a Drug Free World Day” throughout the Sixth Congressional District. FDFW is holding its 7th Annual Drug Free Heroes Awards Gala on June 12 at 227 West 46th Street in Manhattan in honor of the United Nations’ Day Against Drugs, established by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in the ‘80’s. Both officials presented the proclamations to acknowledge this annual event and this year’s 10 Drug Free Hero Awardees. Councilman Vallone’s proclamation reads, “Since 2007, the Northeast Chapter of FDFW has awarded 29 significant community leaders in New York City at its Drug-Free Hero Awards {…}. This June 12, 2014 marks the 7th Annual Drug Free Heroes Awards Gala {…}. The Northeast Chapter will honor 10 significant community leaders including an NYPD Detective, NYPD Sergeant, a musical artist, After-School Directors, and a Substance Abuse Counselor. To date the FDFW and its Truth about Drugs Campaign has reached over 50,000 students and helped bring about a reduction of drug usage amongst our youth. The Council of the City of New York proudly honors the members and supporters of The Northeast Chapter of The Foundation for a Drug-Free World for their unwavering commitment and outstanding contributions to a drug-free future.”
Dr. Bernard Fialkoff said, “The success of any program begins with the individual. Any worthwhile activity begins with individuals then spreads to local groups, the city, the state and then nationally. Many professionals are speaking about how the negative environment is affecting our practices. This program helps children to stay off of street drugs and has gotten positive results. We are proud that Congresswoman Meng and Council Member Vallone are acknowledging this program and taking a lead role in helping to change all of the downturn that has occurred in the last few years. As professionals, we can feel proud to live up to our purpose of helping our community and improving their lives. What better way there is to show this and to do this than to help the very children who will in short order, be in charge of our area.”
The Foundation for a Drug-Free World is a nonprofit public benefit corporation that empowers youth and adults with factual information about drugs so they can make informed decisions and live drug-free. No one, especially a young person, likes to be lectured about what he or she can or cannot do. The foundation provides the facts that empower youth to choose not to take drugs in the first place through free educational events and curriculum. Through a worldwide network of the foundation’s volunteers, 56 million educational handouts have been distributed, tens of thousands of drug awareness events have been held in some 120 countries and Truth About Drugs public service announcements have been aired on 275 television stations. These materials and activities have helped people around the world learn about the destructive side effects of drugs and thereby make the decision for themselves to not use them.
The study club was founded in the mid ‘90’s and has an audience of 60-100 dentists each month. It focuses on raising dental excellence, standards and camaraderie in the New York boroughs. Dr. Bernard Fialkoff has a periodontal, dental implant and cosmetic laser surgery office for 32 years on 56-03 214th Street in Bayside, NY. The office web site and blog, which shows study club photos and bulletins, and other community activities of the office, is www.baysidedentist.com. Dr. Fialkoff also has a web page devoted to the drug education program at: http://baysidedentist.com/our-office/community-drug-education-program/
For more information and to book an event in honor of this proclamation, please email DrugFreeWorldNY@gmail.com.
