DeTomaso, a Soldier, Amsterdam native teaches communities about drug prevention

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The New York Counterdrug Task Force brought the anti-drug abuse message to an estimated 31,882 children at dozens of schools, camps and fairs in New York.

LATHAM, NY (07/26/2012)(readMedia)-- New York Army National Guard Spc. William J. DeTomaso, a native of Amsterdam, N.Y., was one of the Soldiers and Airmen who brought the anti-drug abuse message to an estimated 31,882 children at dozens of schools, camps and fairs in New York.

The New York Counterdrug Task Force is a National Guard unit that partners with community groups that fight the spread of illicit drug use through community outreach and education.

Educating children about the effects of drug use is only one way Counterdrug works within a community. Counterdrug has for years brought Soldiers and Airmen into contact with communities for the purposes of drug abuse education. They have offered rock walls, rope obstacle courses and skate parks.

"We recognize that changing the culture of drug use and addiction is a responsibility requiring the efforts of the entire community," Col. Richard Sloma, commander of the Counterdrug Task Force, based in Scotia, N.Y. "We are part of that community, and we want to help those who also recognize the impact of illicit drug use."

DeTomaso said that if someone had told that one day he'd be teaching children about the dangers of drug use, he'd have doubted that person's sanity. Now, he does just that.

"The Counterdrug Program has been a life-changing experience," DeTomaso, an Auburn N.Y., native said. "I am actually doing something that could change people's lives for the good."

Demaso said there is no better feeling than when students come up to him after a class and thank him for talking to them. He recalled the lessons he has learned while teaching.

"I was teaching at a school in Herkimer County where a special needs student who normally would not participate in activities or readings agreed to partake in my lesson for the day," Demaso said. "Mid-lesson I had looked over to the class teacher who had a bond with this student, and I noticed she was crying.

"After class I went up to the teacher and had asked why she was crying," Demaso continued. "The teacher began to thank me and then told me that she has never seen that student step up like that for anyone else and she was so proud and happy for the student."

In the future, Counterdrug plans to work more closely with community groups to tailor drug-prevention efforts to fit each community.

The goal is a New York community that says "no" to illicit drug abuse and drug traffickers.

More information about the New York National Guard can be found at www.dmna.ny.gov and the Counterdrug Task Force at www.counterdrug.com.