Rockville Centre Herald Person of the Year: Art Rosenthal

At a time when the use of opiate prescription drugs and strong, cheap, readily available heroin has created an epidemic of addiction on Long Island, people in need can turn to Confide Inc. for help. On any day of the week they will find Art Rosenthal, 66, the executive director and driving force behind the outpatient drug and alcohol counseling center, in its basement offices in the medical building at 30 Hempstead Ave.

To a person, everyone who was interviewed about Rosenthal, an East Rockaway resident who is married and has three children, described him as a compassionate and extremely dedicated man who has saved lives, resurrected careers and rebuilt families. His leadership among his colleagues at the state and local levels and his administrative abilities are widely recognized. In addition to helping those who are already hooked, Rosenthal is well known throughout Rockville Centre as a man who is devoted to community outreach and advocacy, partnering with local law-enforcement officials and school administrators on every level to point out the dangers and consequences of drug and alcohol use, and encouraging wise choices.

“I hold Art in the highest professional and personal regard,” said former Police Commissioner Jack McKeon. “He not only does a great deal for our youth, but he also holds Alcoholics Anonymous [sessions] catering to specific groups. I think he’s saved more lives than Mother Teresa. He’s a selfless person.”

“Art has devoted himself to healing his fellow man,” said former Village Justice Frank Yannelli, a member of Confide’s board of directors. “He is generous in his time and his devotion to his clients. He has provided leadership to his staff and to his community. In the belief that it’s better to shape a person than cure a problem, he has actively pursued drug and alcohol outreach to school students.”