Ritchie

For college seniors across the country, the month of June means pomp and circumstance, caps in the air and lots of celebrating. However, as graduates experience the excitement surrounding the next chapter of their lives, for many, the high cost of higher education looms large in the distance.

As the school year winds down, students are itching to get out of the classroom and dreaming of days spent having fun in the sun. However, while the season might mean time off from school, it shouldn’t mean a break from the books.

Across New York State and our nation, heroin and opioid abuse is on the rise, leading to more drug overdoses and deaths in recent years than ever before. Heroin abuse and the use of opioids are very serious problems. But, the good news is we’re taking steps to fight back.

Following a long winter, motorcyclists across the Central and Northern New York region are eager to hit the road. As summer approaches, it’s extra important for those on both two wheels and four to safely share the road. As the calendar page turns from May, which is also Motorcycle Safety Month, to June, I’m happy to report that a bill I sponsored to help make our roads safer has passed the State Senate.

Living so close to Fort Drum, we see firsthand the tremendous sacrifices our soldiers make in the name of defending both our country and our freedom. While we should show our appreciation to veterans and current service members year-round, May – which is Military Appreciation Month – presents special opportunities to recognize our troops.

More vitamins and minerals, protection against diseases such as heart disease and cancer, a lower number on the scale and freshness that is second to none, these are just some of the benefits of eating fruits, vegetables and other foods found at your local farmers’ market.

Four point two million. According to the National Institutes of Health, that’s the number of Americans aged 12 or older who said they had used heroin once in their lives. What’s even scarier? It’s estimated that of those users, 23 percent will become dependent on this highly addictive and deadly drug.

As the school year winds down, students are gearing up for what is often thought to be one of the highlights of high school, prom.  While prom can be a great deal of fun, it’s so important that students know that in order to have a great time, they need to make safety a priority.

Because our parks are such important natural resources, it’s so important that we protect them and keep them pristine. That’s the goal of the third annual  “I Love My Park Day,” a statewide event taking place on May 3 that aims to improve and enhance New York’s state parks and historic sites.