Monday at 6, GMTCC

As parents, we have the largest influence on our kids. There are some big issues:

As we all know, there is a high occurrence of substance abuse that is affecting our community and families. Forty-one percent of 9-12th grade students of Lamoille Union students drank alcohol in the past 30 days compared to 33% of 9-12th graders across the state. A staggering 23% of students in 9-12th grades drank alcohol, other than a few sips, prior to the age of 13 compared to only 14% statewide. Twelve percent of students in 9-12th grades abused marijuana prior to age 13 compared to the state average of 7%.

Numbers for Stowe and Morrisville are no better.

Why is this concerning? Research shows us that young people who begin to drink alcohol and use other drugs before the age of 15 are 10 times more likely to develop dependency in their lives than those who begin drinking after the age of 21

Sheriff Roger Marcoux, has heard our concerns and organized an evening forum of dialogue on the impact of substance abuse on our young people.

During the forum Debby Haskins, a licensed substance abuse counselor who has worked with young people her entire career, will present information and engage participants in discussion about youth high risk behaviors, the teen brain, how drugs affect the brain, warning signs of substance use, and what parents can do to protect their teen.

Healthy Lamoille Valley is putting this on at Green Mountain Tech and Career Center Community Conference Room, at 738 Vermont Route 15 West, Hyde Park, from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2015. Call (802) 888-2581 with questions.