Household Products and Medications: The Hidden Drugs in Your Home

“Household Products and Medications: The Hidden Drugs in Your Home” is the topic of the second 2008 Parent Awareness Night on Thursday, February 28. Open to the public, the series is organized by the Hamilton Southeastern Schools Parents in Partnership group. Registration begins at 6:45 p.m. at the Fishers Junior High Large Group Instruction Room. The free seminar runs from 7 to 8:45 p.m. and is for adults only.

Featured speakers will be Kim and Marissa Manlove, a local couple who lost their teenaged son, David, to inhalant abuse.  They will share the story of their family’s struggle with adolescent substance abuse and addiction.  The Manloves have spoken to thousands of students in Indiana and around the country about adolescent substance and inhalant abuse, prevention and treatment.  Also speaking will be a recovering young addict, who will explain his personal journey through addiction.  He will discuss the factors that finally caused him to seek help, including a life-changing car accident.

Presenting information on prescription drug and over-the-counter drug abuse will be Rachelle Gardner of Fairbanks Hospital.  Rachelle has dedicated her career to helping adolescents affected by drug abuse and addiction.  She will share her insight based on what she hears first-hand from teens she works with daily.  Chris Norwood, father of a recovering student, will share his family’s experiences as well.  His daughter spent nine months at Pathway Family Centers, a long-term treatment program for resistant users.

This presentation is for parents only.  They will learn that some of the most dangerously abused substances are readily available to children.  They are probably in kitchens, laundry rooms and medicine cabinets.  They may be fatal, and they are “free” to children.  Learn about “Pharm Parties,” “Huffing” and other risky behaviors of today’s teens and pre-teens.

For more information please call a member of the Parents in Partnership team:  Lisa Wissman (842-7967), Karen Palmer (585-0552), Lori Starr (576-9148), Linda McGowan (842-0030), Lisa Heiden-Peters (485-6616) Deb Kowal (335-3820), Suma Kolla (773-6291) or Heidi Hollings (849-0094).  Also, you may visit the Parents in Partnership web page.  Go to www.hse.k12.in.us and navigate to the web page via the “School Safety” link under “District Information” on the home page.