Substance Abuse Forum Taking Place Tonight: Wednesday, Oct. 26

Current Trends in Substance Use, Abuse and Addiction: A Community Conversation series forum, will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, at Sacred Heart Church on South Britain Road, Southbury.

The presentation will focus on the most common drugs being abused today by adolescents including bath salts, K2, opiates and prescription drugs.

Signs and symptoms of substance use will be covered as well as the implications of these patterns of use for parents and the community. Information will be given on what parents can do to prevent adolescents from developing serious substance use problems and what the best treatment options are.

Sandra Valente, coordinator of the Drug and Alcohol Recovery Counselor program and Professor of Psychology at Naugatuck Valley Community College will be the presenter.

Organizers hope that people who are likely to influence young people, such as parents, teachers, health care providers, coaches, youth group and community leaders and clergy, attend the event.

The goal of the forum is to raise awareness and mobilize parents, schools and communities to take action.

The event is sponsored by Southbury-Middlebury Youth and Family Services and the Southbury-Middlebury Local Prevention Council, in collaboration with Sacred Heart Church and S.M.A.R.T.

Additional information can be obtained by calling Deirdre Houlihan DiCara at 203-758-1441.