Smithtown Hosts Parent University
Parent U was in session this past Tuesday, December 1st at Smithtown High School West to help educate parents on the Prescription Drug and Heroin epidemic. The special community forum was made possible as part of Suffolk County Police Departments, Ugly Truth Series, in collaboration with the Smithtown Central School District, the Board of Ed, PTA, Project Presence and a number of other proactive Drug Awareness groups.
Members of the community received an informative education regarding the dangers of prescription medication and heroin abuse. Topics ranged from learning the signs of drug abuse in teens from the tools parents will need to take action to help each child.
“Our goal is to increase education and awareness and build protective factors and preventative skills for families with a series of follow-up workshops… These Parent University forums align with our district goal to educate the whole student.” -Jennifer Bradshaw, Smithtown Central School District assistant superintendent for instruction
At the end of the evening, members of the Suffolk County Police Department offered Narcan training. The prescription medication has been used successfully throughout the Country, to reverse an overdose by blocking the effects of opioids. Parents and residents were also given the opportunity to safely discard unwanted medications via the Suffolk County Police Department’s Operation Medicine Cabinet.