Have You Looked In Your Kid’s Backpack? Town hall discussion is Wednesday

For the Reporter

Have You Looked in Your Kid’s Backpack?, a parent’s resource to help detect underage drug and alcohol use, begins at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday at East Hill Elementary School, 9825 S. 240th St., Kent.

The event – hosted by The Kent Drug Free Coalition in partnership with the Kent School District, Heidi’s Promise and the Kent Police Youth Board – features a presentation for parents to provide them the clues that indicate their child may be experimenting with drugs or alcohol, as well as what can be done to prevent it.

A separate presentation for 6th-12th graders will emphasize the consequences of underage substance abuse and offers skills they can use to stay away from drugs and alcohol.

There will also be an awards ceremony for an “Above the Influence” video contest for students put on by the Kent Police Youth Board.

Town Hall discussion presenters:

• Kent Police Department detectives will discuss trends they are seeing and what parents can look for.

• Albert Sandoval from Lakeside Milam will talk about the importance of communication between parents and their kids, steps for prevention/intervention. He will also bring kids with him who have been through treatment. They will discuss current trends in schools and how parents can be a positive influence.

• Eric Munson of Heidi’s Promise is a prevention/intervention specialist who promised, after his daughter’s death, to talk about dangers that can come with drug and alcohol use.