“Drugs 101: What Parents and Kids Need to Know” educates parents about drugs and the peer pressures students face while teaching students how their lives could be affected by addiction. The program will be held at the following times and locations:
- Sept. 27, 6 to 8 p.m. - Cumberland Valley High School
- Oct. 25, 6 to 8 p.m. - Susquehanna Middle School
- Nov. 9, 6 to 8 p.m. - Hershey Middle School
Parents will enter a mock bedroom and be asked to identify drug and alcohol paraphernalia in the room. Throughout the presentation, more than 80 indicators will be unveiled to show how some adolescents hide drug and alcohol use from their parents. Throughout the program, live role playing demonstrations will occur to help parents initiate conversations with their child and to show parents ways they can help their child beat peer pressure.
Middle and high school students will participate in “The Realities of Living with Addiction: Information and Knowledge Influence our Decisions.” This program focuses on healthy decision-making, in a fun and relaxed format. Students will quickly rotate between tables and stations with community leaders for a 'reality check' on how their lives could be affected by addiction. Representatives from the Dauphin County Coroner's Office, Harrisburg City Police Department, Dauphin County Probation Office, drug treatment programs, Penn State Children’s Hospital, trauma/injury prevention and mental health providers will provide a glimpse into the life of an addicted person.
The program is funded by the Josiah and Bessie Kline Foundation.
To attend one of the events, register at PennStateHershey.org/community.