PARENT ED NIGHT – YOUTH DRUG ABUSE – ‘OVERTAKEN – TONIGHT!! Niguel Hills Middle School

On Thursday, March 13, at 7:00 p.m. in the Blue Commons, we will be holding a special PTSA sponsored Parent Night that will feature a showing of the documentary ‘Overtaken’ which highlights the crisis of youth drug abuse which has risen to an epidemic level in our communities.

The creators of the movie and some of the individuals featured in the movie will be present, along with local health professionals and Mike Darnold, who handles Substance Abuse Interventions and Advice at Dana Hills High School.

Mike has worked with young people for many years, and will share what you as parents can do to help your kids continue to live a healthy lifestyle and avoid the pitfalls of drug abuse.

He will also be discussing the rise of e-cigarettes in the community and the problems they pose for our kids.  All the participants will be there to provide information and answer your questions.

In the near future, all Niguel Hills 8^th Graders will attend an assembly to view ‘Overtaken’ video and discuss the dangers of drug abuse with the creators of the movie.  Overtaken was created by two local parents, Jodi Barber and Christine Brant, who set a goal to educate young people and save lives.  The video is short (27 minutes), and addresses drug use and drug overdoses through frank interviews with young people and adults with firsthand experience in the crisis.

The filmmakers and some of the people interviewed in the movie, as well as local health professionals will be at our assembly to follow up with further information and questions the students might have about the film.  In the next few weeks you will be receiving a permission slip for your child to attend the assembly.  Please sign it and have your child return it to his/her 6^th period teacher.  Our goal in holding the assembly is to raise the awareness of our kids and to prevent further tragedies from occurring.

Although our daytime assembly is for 8^th graders only, you are welcome to bring your 6^th and 7^th grade children with you to the parent night on March 13th if you would like them to hear the presentation.  Again, we encourage your attendance at this very important parent night on the 13^th.