Pubdate: Mon, 12 Jan 2015
Source: New Jersey Herald (NJ)
Copyright: 2015, The New Jersey Herald
Contact:  http://www.njherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2162
Author: Eric Obernauer

LONG POND SCHOOL WILL HOST DRUG EDUCATION SUMMIT FOR PARENTS

ANDOVER TOWNSHIP - "Hidden in Plain Sight" is the title of a free drug
education summit for parents that the Andover Regional School District
will host from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday in the Long Pond School gymnasium.

As the program's name suggests, many of the signs of child and teen
substance abuse - unbeknownst to parents - may be right under their
noses without their even realizing it.

"A lot of people think it's not in my backyard, but I think as
educators, we have an obligation to educate parents on what is out
there," said Long Pond School Principal Jon Sinclair.

"A lot of times parents are not aware, not through any fault of their
own bust just because raising a family is a full-time job."

The Center for Prevention and Counseling, which will present
Thursday's program, will feature a simulation of a teenager's bedroom
to help familiarize parents with where and how teens might hide
alcohol, drugs or drug paraphernalia

As the Center notes, "Seemingly innocent items, commonly used by
youth, could actually indicate a substance abuse problem."

The event - which will include input from school counselors,
prevention specialists, law enforcement, and a local attorney - will
guide parents to better recognize these signs and to intervene before
a child's substance abuse problem reaches crisis proportions and
becomes impossible to ignore.

"I'm of the thought that if we educate just one parent that could
possibly save the life of a child or at least influence a child in a
positive way, then I think we've done our job," Sinclair said.

Because of the sensitive topic, attendance at the program will be
strictly limited to adults only, including parents and any other adult
community members who work with or care about young people.

To enable as many parents as possible to attend, the school district
has arranged a series of supervised activities for children whose
parents plan to attend Thursday's program.

For children in pre-kindergarten through grade 5, the Andover Regional
PTA will host a simultaneous "Fun Night" with arts and crafts, games,
and other supervised activities at the Florence M. Burd School, 219
Newton-Sparta Road.

For middle school students in grades 6-8, the Andover Township
Recreation Department will host a dance with snacks and beverages from
6:30 to 8:45 p.m. at the Hillside Park Barn.

Those attending the dance must present a completed permission slip,
which can be downloaded at 
www.andovertwp.org/committees/recreation/notices/HIPS_PermissionSlip.pdf.
Other sponsors of Thursday's program include the Coalition for Healthy
and Safe Communities and Andover Township
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D