By Jackie Lukas

It’s been an eye-opening week as we showed you Long Island’s heroin epidemic.

I spoke with a brother and sister who both used heroin – and a young woman who took her first hit when she was just 17 years old.  All three are either currently going through or have completed rehab. But they say it was an uphill battle. They were all denied care because they didn’t have insurance. And they say it was too expensive to pay out of pocket.

“It’s a shame that some places will not take you in if you don’t have insurance. How could you deny somebody that is screaming out for help?” – Meghan

“My mom said to me, she’s like we need to get you on Medicaid because I can’t afford for you to go anywhere. It’s too expensive. And I just remember crying and thinking I couldn’t wait, I had to go now.”  – Lauren

“I think it’s very sad because some people come from the streets and they don’t have the money to get themselves help. It’s very discouraging.” - David

But there are places on Long Island that will not turn you away for financial or insurance reasons.

Long Island Teen Challenge is one facility that will not turn anyone down. Teen Challenge is a faith based organization. Addicts commit to a 12 month program where they live in a home in West Babylon. Teen Challenge asks families to pay about $450 a month. But if they can’t afford it, the organization has scholarships. Through donations and fundraising they will house addicts and give them the necessary care. David Bengyak and his sister Lauren are currently getting help at Teen Challenge.

“Teen Challenge is awesome because it’s not just getting off the drugs, it gives you a purpose. I know today that I have a purpose with my life.” – Lauren

C.K. Post Addiction Treatment Center in Brentwood also does not turn down addicts. It’s located in Brentwood – on the Pilgrim State site. C.K. Post is a state run rehab center. Here, addicts can get the help they need and will not be turned away. Meghan Johnson got help at C.K. Post. She lived there and went through a 28 day rehab program. She told me that her parents made her go – and she thought she would be out on the streets again using heroin. But once she stepped foot into C.K. post – she realized she needed to change her life. She says it was the best decision that she has ever made.

“I’m really happy that I came to CK post to get my life back on track – that’s where I need to be now I need to be sober and living a sober life.” – Meghan

By Jackie Lukas

Imagine being diagnosed with cancer and not having health insurance?

That was the scary reality for Craig Schmidt back in 1998. He was starting a news business and couldn’t afford insurance. At that time, he was told he had stage 4 prostate cancer.

Scrambling to get help, he and his wife applied for insurance, but were denied. Providers said they wouldn’t cover him because he had a pre-existing medical condition. Questions ran through their minds. What should they do? How are they going to afford to pay for treatment? Why won’t anyone help?

Craig was told he only had a few months to live if he didn’t do anything. With no insurance, he started getting treatment at Stony Brook University Medical Center.  A year and a half later – while in remission-  the big bills started coming in. $90,000 – in hospital and doctor bills. Bills that he agreed to pay off monthly for the rest of his life. Craig is grateful to be a cancer survivor. He runs a support group for prostate cancer survivors and is also very involved with the American Cancer Society. But now he sometimes thinks about how different things would be if he was covered by insurance.

That’s why the Schmidts support President Obama’s health care reform proposal. Although they admit there are still many unanswered questions, they believe everyone should be able to have health insurance. The President has said that no one would be denied coverage if they have a pre-existing medical condition. The Schmidts say they hope  that’s true.

Obviously health care reform is a heated debate… what do you think about the proposal?

By Jackie Lukas

The “World’s Ugliest Dog” was recently crowned. And the winner was…

Meet Pabst. He’s a boxer mix, that just so happens to be named after the alcoholic beverage because he has “a bitter beer face”. Now I don’t know what you think about Pabst, but I really don’t think he’s that ugly. There’s something very cute about his outrageous underbite.

Pabst is beauty King – compared to the winners in the past!

This is Sam… Need I say more?

Then there’s Elwood.

Do’t get me wrong, I love all dogs and animals. But you have to admit that Sam and Elwood are pretty scary looking. So scary, that they can actually pass for cute! If you’d like to check out some more so-called ugly dogs – click here – and also here. Let me know what you think!

In the meantime, I’d like to introduce you to my new puppy – Maggie. She’s my first dog and I think she is the most adorable and loving dog in the world! (I know… everyone says that about their dog)

Hope everyone is having a great summer!

With the MTA passing its so called Doomsday Budget, commuters will likely be shelling out a lot more cash for their commute. A scary thought during these tough economic times. Click here to see how much more you could be paying if state lawmakers don’t bailout the MTA.

Today I tried to look into ways that you could save money on your commute. I have to be honest–there are limited options. One option is skipping the train and driving, or carpooling to work. A monthly pass from the Ronkonkoma train station will likely cost commuters $352. If you pair up with someone, then you could save some cash driving.  Click here if you want more information.

Ever hear of zone jumping? A lot of commuters do it, especially if you live near a station that doesn’t have many trains. Jumping zones could save you money. For example, at the Mastic Shirley station – zone 12 – you could soon be paying $416 a month. But if you’re willing to drive to the Ronkonkoma station -  zone 10  – it’s $352. With gas prices still reasonable (for now), it could be worth it.

But the one option you should look into is the so called commuter tax break. Right now only one out of every three commuters take advantage of it.  If your employer is enrolled in the program, you can pay your mass transit costs of up to $320 with pretax dollars. That money comes out of your paycheck – pretax. Ask your employer if they offer this benefit. Lawmakers say it’s a win-win for workers and their bosses.

If you have any other suggestions – please share!

Ask many residents in the Wyandanch community – and they’ll say the neighborhood could use a face lift. Throughout the area you’ll find vacant lots, abandoned homes, businesses boarded up and trash littering the streets. But now the Town of Babylon and state officials are looking to revamp and rebuild the neighborhood.

Wyandanch was chosen for a statewide smart growth initiative. Through state funding, brownfields will be redeveloped and the neighborhood will be revitalized. Wyandanch was one of three communities state-wide chosen for this initiative. The others were in the South Bronx and in South Buffalo.

In Wyandanch, officials are focusing on Straight Path and the area surrounding the train station. They plan to build affordable housing and new businesses. There will likely be new mixed-use, multi-story buildings and a new parking structure. The town supervisor says they also want to bring in entertainment venues and have a plaza for community gatherings. The downtown will be transformed into a ‘walkable downtown’ that caters to pedestrians and bicyclists.  The streets and sidewalks will be improved as well:  All positive additions to the community that officials say will help create jobs and business opportunities in the area. Despite the fanfare, one resident–Isaac Craig–told me he doesn’t want the youth to be forgotten. He hopes that these projects will also help get kids off the street. Isaac wants more young people to get involved in the community - and be gainfully employed. He says that’s what’s going to help put a new face on the neighborhood. 

Right now, officials are in the early planning stages of the project. The goal is that within a few years Wyandanch will be transformed into a vibrant community.