Would you know it if it was "Hidden In Plain Sight?"

DAYTON–Would you know what items in your teen's room might indicate drug or alcohol use? The Coalition for Youth and Families, in partnership with Columbia County Health Department, hosted a public event at the Liberty Theater on May 15, to learn more about youth substance abuse.

The event began with a mock set of a teenage girl's bedroom. People were instructed to walk around and search for substance items hidden in plain sight and some tucked away in inconspicuous places. There were 100 indicators of problem or risky behavior. It was a chance for viewers to see how much they already know and what more they needed to learn.

Jenniffer Dorsett is a certified prevention specialist and certified chemical dependency professional from the Tri-Cities presented the Hidden in Plain Sight session with both the public and the school district staff. An earlier private viewing for the school included 36 staff members, and the public viewing later, included just under a dozen community members.

Dorsett opened her presentation with, "I want you to know that most kids don't use drugs...so just know that the purpose of this conversation is to is really to get conversations going at home, to have an understanding of what is trending with kids today, and to ask any questions you have."

A large emphasis of this presentation was explaining vaping and how accessible it was to our youth and how much more affordable it is than smoking cigarettes or smoking traditional cannabis. The presentation went over the products that are trending with youth in grades 6-12. It also provided reasons kids give for starting to use substances, the addictive behavior it can cause, and provided some ideas focusing on how to get kids to quit these substances or behaviors.

More information about this subject, the presentation, and helpful resources can be found by contacting the Coalition for Youth and Families at the Public Health Department in Dayton.