Parent Meeting – Wednesday, April 10 in the ASW Theater for all parents…
In a couple of previous Zimplicity articles, I suggested that we should all be diligent in combating the issues that our children are facing. Articles on sleep and, more recently, electronic cigarettes were well received.
As part of our ongoing commitment to prevention and wellness, we have invited prevention specialists from FCD Prevention Works to join our community during the week of April 8-13. A part of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, FCD (Freedom from Chemical Dependency) is a non-profit organization that provides substance abuse prevention services for schools. Since 1976, they have taught over a million students of all ages. Their mission is to:
- Encourage and support the non-use of alcohol and other illegal or illicit drugs during the growing years.
- Empower young people to make healthy, responsible choices regarding alcohol and other drug use
- Teach students and adults how to recognize the early warning signs of substance abuse and to intervene appropriately
- Educate students, parents, teachers, and administrators on the physiological and psychological effects of alcohol and other drugs
- Promote awareness of drug addiction, including alcoholism, as a progressive, chronic, and often fatal disease
- Provide educational communities with the guidance and training necessary to implement comprehensive, effective approaches to substance abuse prevention
FCD prevention specialists are highly trained professionals who have achieved healthy recovery from alcohol or other drug addictions. This unique perspective enhances the credibility of their message and provides students with role models for happy, healthy, drug-free living. The FCD prevention specialist will present a parent workshop to offer support and guidance in helping your children enjoy drug-free adolescence on Wednesday, April 10 at 6:00 p.m. in our ASW Theater. This is appropriate for parents of children of all ages. Some of the topics to be addressed include:
- Effective ways to communicate with your child about drugs and drug use
- Up-to-date facts about current drug use and trends
- What to say about your own experiences with alcohol and/or drug experimentation
- How to spot early warning signs of use and effective ways to respond.
This program presents a perfect opportunity for discussing alcohol and other drug-related issues with your children. Parental involvement is crucial to our efforts to reduce the risks teenagers face. We want our students to hear from both school and home that we are concerned about alcohol, nicotine, and other drugs use by adolescents, and that we are committed to keeping our children safe.
See you all there!!