February 5, 2010, Canton, MI – Just a reminder to parents of children ages 10-17, there are only five more classes scheduled for "Drugs 101: What Parents Want to Know". Instructors provide a unique learning experience for parents of teens and pre-teens, with information on current drug trends and things to be aware of.

"This 2-hour presentation is a great investment in your child’s future," says Community Relations Sergeant Mark Gajeski, of the Canton Police Department. For more information or to sign up for one of the 5 remaining classes go to www.cantonpublicsafety.org, or contact Sgt. Gajeski at 734/394-5424.

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REMAINING CLASSES LISTED BELOW

Original Release - Canton Police Department partners with Saint Joseph Mercy Heath System to provide parents with an interactive drug education and prevention workshop

September 24, 2009, Canton, MI – Canton Police Department has partnered with Saint Joseph Mercy Health System to offer the class, "Drugs 101: What Parents Want to Know". This popular class will be presented ten times over the next eight months, by educators from Saint Joseph Mercy Health System staff and Canton Police Department’s Community Relations Sergeant Mark Gajeski. Together they will educate parents on the signs, symptoms and current trends of alcohol, tobacco, inhalants, marijuana and other drugs teens may use. Legal consequences and long term implications will also be addressed.

Features of this interactive class include a mock teenager’s bedroom set up for parents to observe and attempt to identify the obvious and not-so-obvious drug related paraphernalia. Throughout the presentation, more than 70 drug and alcohol indicators will be unveiled to show how some adolescents hide drug and alcohol use from their parents. Information presented is intended to empower parents with knowledge to spot warning signs of drug use.

"It will be a unique opportunity to present this valuable information in conjunction with health care professionals," said Community Relations Sergeant Mark Gajeski. "I am looking forward to working with parents in the community who are interested in playing an active role in drug prevention and intervention for their children," Gajeski adds.

Participating parents and guardians can expect to gain valuable information on facts about drug use; knowledge about how drugs affect the body; tools to identify drug use; and skills to engage their child in conversations about drugs.

"Drugs 101: What parents want to know" is being made possible by grant money received from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Bryne JAG) program included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

This is a two-hour class for adults only who reside in Canton or its surrounding communities. Register for this free program at www.sjmercyhealth.org click on Classes and Events, or at www.cantonpublicsafety.org. Additional information can be obtained by calling the Saint Joseph Mercy Health System at 734/398-7518, or the Canton Police Department at 734/394-5424.

Remaining dates and locations of the adult-only presentations are:

• Thursday Feb. 11, 2010, 6:30 p.m. – Farrand Elementary Gym, Plymouth

• Saturday, March 6, 2010, 10:00 a.m. – Plymouth Public Library, Plymouth

• Tuesday, March 23, 2010, 6:30 p.m. – Fiegel Elementary Gym, Plymouth

• Tuesday, April 27, 2010, 6:30 p.m. – Field Elementary Gym, Canton

• Thursday, May 13, 2010, 6:30 p.m. - Summit on the Park, Chestnut Room, Canton

Any group interested in hosting a Drugs 101: What Parents Need to Know program can call Saint Joseph Mercy Health System at 734/398-7518 or e-mail healthed@trinity-health.org

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