Teen Addiction Talk Targeted Toward Marblehead High School Students

MARBLEHEAD, MA — A community conversation about substance abuse and addiction among students will take place in the Marblehead High auditorium on Sept. 21.

Marblehead police and Marblehead Public Schools are hosting the awareness and education event from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with guest speakers and information about risk behavior.

Maureen Cavanagh, author of "If You Love Me" and found of the substance use support organization "Magnolia New Beginnings," will be the keynote speaker. She is invited to share her personal story and discuss how substance abuse at a young age affects the brain, how addictions develop and the importance of de-stigmatizing teen addiction.

Marblehead Police Chief Dennis King will talk about municipal services and introduce the school's new resource officer.

Community service providers will be there with MHS Clinical Social Worker Gina Hart available with resources.

There will also be a virtual option to attend the discussion here.

Those interested are invited to contact Hart with any questions at hart.gina@marbleheadschools.org.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)