PARENTS, OFFICIALS INVITED TO LEARN ABOUT METH, HEROIN

Organizers Of Drug In-Service Say Recognizing Substance Abuse A Key To
Stopping It

VALPARAISO -- Jim Samuel and some of his colleagues at Portage schools once
attended a presentation about "huffing" -- the use of inhalants to get high
- -- then returned to school and recognized the signs of huffing in a student.

That's why Samuel, an assistant school superintendent, is urging school
officials throughout Porter County as well as parents, police officers and
others to attend the methamphetamine and opiate in-service Oct. 19 at the
Porter County Expo Center.

The organizers hope that by educating people about meth, heroin, cocaine,
OxyContin and other drugs infiltrating the county, that drug users can be
spotted and helped before it's too late.

The Porter County Substance Abuse Council, which is sponsoring the event,
has lined up speakers like Indiana State Police Trooper Aaron Campbell, who
is on the police meth lab team. Also speaking will be John Viernes,
Indiana's methadone authority, and Dr. Alfonso Holliday, a pioneer in the
treatment of opiate dependence.

There is no cost to attend, and breakfast is provided. Organizers stress
than anyone who is interested, whether they belong to a school or an
organization, is invited.

Sharon Cawood, Substance Abuse Council director, said meth is a huge
problem in Indiana, having become responsible for 80 percent of the jail
population in places like Terre Haute and Starke County. In Porter County,
cocaine and heroin continue to be the main problems, although meth,
OxyContin and Ritalin abuse are becoming problems, Cawood said.

She said a grant is paying for the Oct. 19 training, but the expense will
be well worth it if all the people who want to learn about drugs show up,
get educated and watch for the signs of drug usage in family members,
students and others.

This is the second meth in-service sponsored by the Substance Abuse
Council. The first session was done four years ago, when there was just
talk that meth was coming to Indiana. Cawood said many school officials and
community members have expressed interest in having another education session.

"It's obviously a timely topic across the nation," Samuel said.

Those attending are encouraged to ask any questions they have.

Anyone interested in attending the in-service -- which includes
registration and breakfast from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. and then speakers until
noon -- should mail or fax their name, agency (if applicable) and a message
that they want to attend the Oct. 19 event, to (219) 465-3856; or Porter
County Substance Abuse Council, 155 Indiana Ave., Suite 102, Valparaiso, IN
46383. Nobody will be seated unless they reserve a spot.