The fight against the opioid crisis took center stage in Great Neck Monday night, as Nassau County officials gathered with residents to address the dangers of fentanyl. T

The community meeting, held at the Great Neck Synagogue, focused on educating families about the deadly risks posed by the synthetic opioid, which continues to claim lives across Long Island.

Emma Laskin, a Great Neck mother, shared her concerns about the threat fentanyl poses to teenagers.

“It’s getting worse and worse, and it’s really frightening,” Laskin said.

As the opioid epidemic evolves, experts say fentanyl has become a key factor in the alarming spike in overdose deaths.

While parents often warn their children about the dangers of drugs, fentanyl has become harder to spot and is often hidden in pills.

Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder explained that some fentanyl-laced pills are sold online, under the guise of common medications like Xanax.

"They think it’s just a simple Xanax, but that Xanax has been crushed, sprinkled with fentanyl, repressed, and sold to you on the street,” Ryder said. "Next thing you know, you’re overdosing and dying from the fentanyl."

Legislator Mazi Pilip, who represents Great Neck, also emphasized the importance of parents staying vigilant.

“I don’t want them to close their eyes or think this is not happening in my house. It is happening everywhere,” Pilip warned.

She urged families to monitor their children for any signs of drug use and stay informed about the risks.

Despite the growing concerns, law enforcement officials say some progress is being made. Overdose deaths in Nassau County have been declining since 2022, and officials point to efforts like increased awareness, public education, and stronger law enforcement as contributing factors. Still, the impact of fentanyl cannot be ignored. In 2024, 80 people in Nassau County lost their lives due to fentanyl-related overdoses.

Police Commissioner Ryder stressed that fentanyl is no ordinary drug.

"Understand this is a business model. They want you to be addicted. Fentanyl is probably the most addictive substance out there these days,” he said.

In addition to education and prevention, enforcement remains a crucial part of the battle.

On the same day as the community meeting, Nassau County police made one of the largest pill seizures in county history. Authorities are expected to provide more details on the bust later this week.