Smithtown schools combat Suffolk’s drug concerns

Smithtown Central School District, in conjunction with the Suffolk County Police Department, its PTAs, the Board of Education, Project Presence and many other community organizations, hosted a Parent University community forum on heroin and prescription drug education and awareness on Dec. 1.

During the event, attendees heard information on the dangers of prescription medication and heroin abuse, and learned how to recognize the signs of drug abuse among teenagers, and the tools and actions parents can take to help their child.

Following the forum, members of the police department offered training on Narcan, a prescription medication that can reverse an overdose by blocking the effects of opioids. SCPD’s Operation Medicine Cabinet was on hand to safely discard expired or unwanted prescription medication.

“Our goal is to increase education and awareness, and build protective factors and preventative skills for families with a series of follow-up workshops,” said Jennifer Bradshaw, assistant superintendent for instruction. “These Parent University forums align with our district goal to educate the whole student.”