submitted by Deb Alter
On Wednesday, April 23, at 7 pm, the HAYC3 Community Coalition will hold an important Town Hall Meeting at the HAYC3 Armory in Hoosick Falls regarding the recent rise in heroin, prescription drug and other substance abuse in our community. Parents, youth, community leaders and members are invited to attend and become better informed about the current trends in the existence and usage of illegal substances right here at home.
[private]The meeting, which is titled “In Our Own Backyard,” features a panel of experts in law enforcement, mental health and social media fields. They will discuss the threat that the presence and illegal use of drugs pose to the health and safety of our youth and community. Topics include how you can be part of the change, how to recognize the signs and symptoms of drug use and abuse, creating effective and positive models for our children, the ways social networks are used to foster drug deals, efforts underway in other communities and more. Also on the panel is a person in recovery who will speak about the devastating effects of substance abuse from personal experience. A question and answer session will follow the presentations.
Parents may be surprised to discover the easy access our youth have to such highly addictive and dangerous substances such as heroin, hallucinogens and other illegal drugs. They may be shocked to find out that the majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the family medicine cabinet. It is important to understand that drugs available today are more potent and addictive and easier to get than in the past. Many people don’t believe that their children would ever use them. Many don’t realize how young some kids are when they start experimenting. Many don’t understand the close connection between underage drinking, prescription drugs abuse and heroin. “Once a youth tries heroin, that’s it. They are hooked, making it almost impossible for them to get off this deadly drug,” explained Hoosick Falls Assistant Chief of Police Harold McClellan.
We know there have been arrests, overdoses and even fatalities in surrounding communities. It is time for us to acknowledge that it can, in fact it is, happening here in Hoosick. We think our community is ready to address the problem, and that’s why the HAYC3 Community Coalition is sponsoring this Town Hall Meeting. Together we can help empower our youth and families to make decisions that will positively affect their health and safety and reduce the harm associated with illegal and underage substance abuse.
The HAYC3 Community Coalition is committed to supporting positive connections for our youth. HAYC3 continues to create more opportunities for positive and healthy activities that Hoosick youth, families and all community members can be involved in and enjoy.
For more information about the Town Hall Meeting and other HAYC3 programs, events and initiatives, visit our website, http://hayc3.org, or email us at contacthayc3@gmail.com. You can also call us at 518-686-9050.[/private]