CITIZENS DRUG RECOGNITION ACADEMY

The Stoneham Rotary Club and the Stoneham United Council of PTOs
will be sponsoring a program for parents and concerned citizens
called "Citizens Drug Recognition Academy," Wednesdays, Oct. 4-25,
7-9 p.m., in the Stoneham High School auditorium, 149 Franklin St.

This free, four-part course is open to adults only and will provide
the community with a comprehensive training on recognition of drugs,
drug paraphernalia, eye clues and physical symptoms of drug abuse.

Each week a different section of drug abuse will be discussed:
plant-based/traditional drugs; prescription and over-the-counter
drugs; club drugs; drug-facilitated sexual assaults and breaking
barriers of communication when talking to your kids about
drugs. The last session will include a panel discussion
with members from the Stoneham Police and School Department about
drug issues in town.

The presentations are multi-media programs including slides with
full-color pictures, video clips of real kids talking about their
drug experiences and hands-on paraphernalia. The purpose of the
training is to educate parents to recognize the signs of drug abuse
early. Early recognition leads to early intervention, which can
prevent addiction. Young people become addicted much more quickly
than adults so early intervention is critical.