LEWES, Del. - Beebe Healthcare and the Cape Henlopen School District are having an educational program focused on adolescent substance use.
Beebe will teach parents about the latest substance use trends and statistics, and how substance misuse impacts a child’s physical and mental health as well as brain development.
The centerpiece of the program is a Parent and Family Education Event, to be held on Wednesday, April 30 from 6:30-8 p.m. at Cape Henlopen High School.
"In healthcare, we often encounter the consequences of substance use when it has already caused significant physical or psychological harm,” said Bill Chasanov, DO, Chief Health Systems Design Officer at Beebe Healthcare. “It's crucial to understand the impact of substance use on a young person's development and to foster informed, honest conversations about the choices we make."
A major part of the presentation will be to give parents valuable tools for identifying signs of substance misuse and engaging their kids in meaningful conversation about the dangers and risks associated with those choices. Information will be presented by leaders from Soundcheck Prevention Network, a nationally recognized substance misuse prevention organization.
“Our April program will be a continuation of the events we held in February, when we first introduced this program and the start of these important conversations,” said Kristin DeGregory, Principal of Cape Henlopen High School. “We know first-hand that discussions about substance use, prevention, and harm reduction need to be ongoing."
This program is supported by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. During the same week as the Parent and Family Education Event, students will participate in a three day series during regular school hours including open dialogue and transparency about substance use, its impact, and reasons to refrain from drug and alcohol use.
“Our goal is to give students information that can guide decision making and ultimately aims to keep them safe,” said Will Straughan, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Soundcheck Prevention Network.
RSVPs are not required for this event, and it is open to all community members regardless of where your child attends school. Those who plan to attend can submit a question they would like to answer prior to the event. Attendees will also have the option to write down and submit questions they would like addressed during the event.