By Stephen Stirling
State Assemblywoman Ellen Young (D-Flushing) was appointed chair of the Assembly's Drug Dependency and Substance Abuse Subcommittee last Thursday, marking the first such appointment the freshman politician has garnered since joining the governmental body.
Assembly Drug Abuse Committee Chairman Felix Ortiz (D-Brooklyn) named Young to the subcommittee. He said Young distinguished herself for the role with her work on the Assembly's Underage Drinking Advisory Council, a group she formed that is studying the effects of underage drinking on the state's economy.
“I always consider inclusion and diversity as key factors when implementing public policy. Assemblywoman Young was instrumental in creating the newly implemented Underage Drinking Advisory Council that had its first meeting this past July and is expected to meet three more times in the future before filing its report,” Ortiz said. “For this reason, I believe she will be an effective fighter for the people of this great state.”
Young said she was proud to get the nod for the post from Ortiz.
“Drug abuse and alcoholism can ruin families and destroy the futures of our youth, and I will do everything in my power to keep our state clean,” she said. “Just as I will work with our community to help curb alcoholism and drug abuse, I ask that the community also work with me to keep me apprised of new trends and patterns you may see in your everyday lives. I am willing, able and extremely excited about this tremendous opportunity.”
In addition to being a member of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Committee, Young also serves on the Aging, Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, Economic Development, Libraries and Education Technology and Housing committees.
Reach reporter Stephen Stirling by e-mail at Sstirling@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.
