PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Healthy Youth Coalition will sponsor a free Drug and Alcohol Recognition Training from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
The training will be at the North Olympic Peninsula Skills Center, 905 W. Ninth St.
The event, which has a focus on awareness and prevention, is best for parents, teachers and others who work with children and youths in the Port Angeles area, said Leeann Grasseth, Clallam County prevention specialist.
“To create an environment where children flourish, we as adults need to speak a common language,” Grasseth said.
Teach recognition
The presentations will teach those who are closest to Port Angeles’ youngest community members to recognize when youths need help and how to direct youths and their families to appropriate services, she said.
The event offers a free lunch and access to a resource information room with local experts.
Attendees must register in advance for the free lunch, although not for the training.
To register, phone Grasseth at 360-565-2608.
Jason Kilmer, a clinical psychologist in research and student affairs at the University of Washington, will make a special presentation on emerging research on prevention and youth substance use and abuse.
He is a graduate of Port Angeles High School and brother of 6th District Congressman Derek Kilmer.
Presentations will be:
■ “Discussing Alcohol, Marijuana and Other Drugs: Drug Effects, Prevention Efforts and Emerging Research Questions” — Kilmer.
■ “Be The Wall: Social Norms Campaign” — Grasseth.
■ “Drug Trends with Clallam County Youth” — A.J. Teel, chemical dependency professional.
■ “Tricking the UA System” — Jaymie Doane, True Star treatment counselor.
■ “Intravenous Drug Use and Needle Exchange Education” — Chris Hurst, Clallam County Public Health.
The Healthy Youth Coalition, a federal Drug Free Communities Grant organization, is part of Clallam County Health and Human Services.
The organization serves the Port Angeles area.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
