|
Written by Tammy Walro
|
|
Sunday, 12 October 2008 09:08 |
A community forum themed, “We Need to Talk About Our Kids” will be held Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Clay High School auditorium.
The program, presented by Oregon Community and Family Coalition, Courage to Change and Oregon City Schools, will offer a frank discussion regarding drug and alcohol use among youths, what can be done to prevent it and how to find help when it’s needed, according to Tana M. Schiewer, executive director of the OCFC.
WTOL-TV’s Colleen Wells will be the facilitator for the evening. The forum will include a panel discussion presented by experts who will speak about substance-abuse issues facing the community. Among the panelists will be Robert Kasprzak, prevention coordinator for Lucas County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board and Rick Marvin, co-founder of Rusty’s House, a recovery resource for teenagers. An expert will also be on hand to discuss treatment options for youths facing substance abuse issues.
There will also be a video presentation and time for audience questions, Schiewer said.
“The purpose of this forum is to discuss, in an open way, the difficulties facing the community surrounding the use of alcohol and drugs, particularly by youths and young adults,” she said.
The event will kick off Red Ribbon Week, a national observance that brings millions of people together to raise awareness regarding the need for alcohol, tobacco and other drug and violence prevention, early intervention, and treatment services.
As part of Red Ribbon Week, the OCFC’s Youth Board members will distribute pencils to elementary students encouraging them to “Vote for a Drug-Free Future.” Also during Red Ribbon Week, fifth-graders in Oregon schools will plant red tulips to signify a promise to remain drug-free as part of the “Plant the Promise” campaign.
For more information about the OCFC, visit www.ocfcohio.org.
 |
Health 
Subscribe to this comment's feed