Parents-Only Event to Focus on Teen Issues

News release from the Laguna Beach Unified School District:

On Monday, January 30, at the , the , in conjunction with the California Youth Services (CYS), is presenting the second of a four part series: The Reality of Orange County Teens: What Every Parent Should Know. This parent-only educational event will address:

• Current issues facing teens
• How to recognize drug/alcohol usage by your teen
• Enabling versus empowering your teen
• When and how to seek help, what resources are available

Assistant Principal Bob Billinger encourages parents to attend.

“After the success of our last parent education presentation, the LBUSD Parent Education Committee is proud to present another informational evening that will offer insight on how to recognize alcohol and/or drug use by your child; how to empower rather than enable your child; as well as when and how to get help.

"By creating awareness around these issues, we hope to help our parents initiate meaningful conversations with their child or children. This evening presentation is provided for parents only on January 30, 2012, from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Laguna Beach High School Artists’ Theatre. Resource and Support Agencies will be on hand beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the quad area for parents to access. Feel free to invite another parent(s) you may know in our community. We are all responsible for helping our children make healthy life choices.”

Assistant Principal Mike Modeer concurs.

“I was very impressed with the first presentation in the series and am excited to hear more from the speakers that are involved. The information presented is intended for an audience that wants to be aware and proactive about current trends with our kids. I highly encourage all parents to attend – even if you are already proactive and having the important conversations at home. It is so important that we take the initiative to engage with our kids about drug and alcohol issues – if it’s not us sending the message, pop culture, the media, and our children’s peers will do it for us.”

Exhibits, resource and support agencies are available from 5:30-6 p.m. Speakers Deputy Brian Nissen, OCSD Drug Recognition Expert and Duane Durst LMFT, CYS Clinical Director will begin the formal presentation at 6 p.m. Parents interested in attending please email Mr. Billinger at rbillinger@lbusd.org.