Unmasking Teen Substance Risks Through Mobile 'Mock Bedroom' Walkthrough At East Shore Health Dept.

BRANFORD, CT — The East Shore Health District will host the Stashed Away Trailer, an interactive educational exhibit that gives parents and guardians a firsthand look at the hidden realities of teen substance use.

Designed to resemble a typical teenager’s bedroom, the mobile exhibit will be open Monday, May 11, from 5 to 7 p.m. at ESHD, 688 East Main St. in Branford. The program is for adults 21 and older.

"While it may look ordinary at first glance, the room inside the Stashed Away Trailer is meticulously curated to showcase the creative, and often alarming, ways teens may hide substances or paraphernalia," the health district said.

Sponsored by the East Shore Health District through a CDC OD2A grant in partnership with the Connecticut National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, the exhibit allows adults to walk through the space and identify common hiding spots and everyday items that could conceal drugs or alcohol, the health department noted. Organizers say the experience is designed to help parents and guardians recognize warning signs before they escalate.

The event will also feature a community resource fair focused on youth substance use and mental health, according to the health department. Local organizations will provide information, referrals, and support services. And representatives from Mothers Against Drunk Driving will offer guidance on how to start conversations with teens about substance use and safety.