Generation S.O.S., a national nonprofit known for its free, peer-driven program promoting substance misuse awareness and prevention, will host its annual family event on Sunday in Water Mill, this year featuring two special guests. The Emmy Award-winning actor Hank Azaria will speak out about his personal journey of substance misuse and recovery; there will also be a performance by the rapper Skizzy Mars.
The nonprofit says it has reached more than 100,000 teenagers and young adults so far across middle schools, high schools, and colleges. According to a press release from the organization, “addiction/drug overdose is the leading cause of death under 30,” and “more people die from addiction-related incidents than from car accidents and gun violence combined.”
Generation S.O.S. combats this by tapping young adults to teach teenagers healthy ways to deal with life stressors, such as depression and anxiety, so they do not have to turn to harmful substances for a quick fix.
The event will take place at 30 Halsey Lane South in Water Mill from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Tickets and additional information are available at GenerationSOS.org.
Guests under 30 can attend or live-stream the event for free. Tickets cost $250 for a single adult, $500 for a family, $750 for a single adult, which also underwrites five young adults, and $1,000 for a V.I.P. family ticket, up to six people with preferred seating.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the expansion of Generation S.O.S.’s free programs across middle and high schools as well as college campuses, places of worship, camps, Indigenous communities, correctional facilities, and under-resourced communities.
