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November 26, 2002 Contact: Jennifer Bacci |
How many young people in the Rochester community have sampled illegal substances? Does D.A.R.E. really work? What can be done to prevent youth drug use? What can you do when you suspect your child is using drugs?
A local television program premiering December 10 on WROC News 8 Now will get to the bottom of these and many other questions in its exploration of youth substance use. It will illustrate the magnitude of substance abuse among youth in the greater Rochester area ¾ who's doing drugs and why, what are they using, where are they getting them
¾ and explore solutions, from prevention to community resources to get help for your child."Substance abuse among our kids has reached epidemic levels," said Dennis Richardson, president and CEO of Hillside Family of Agencies. "As a human services agency, we want the best for our kids and our community."
"Strung Out: Kids at a Crossroad," co-produced by Hillside Family of Agencies and WROC News 8 Now and sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of the Rochester Area, will air Tuesday, December 10 from 8 to 9 p.m. on WROC News 8 Now.
Hosted by Kevin Doran and Maureen McGuire, the program will feature interviews with local players in the fight against substance abuse, including perspectives from police, school officials, healthcare agencies, and the court system. A panel of area teenagers will share their own, candid thoughts on what they're seeing around them, how effective media messages and prevention programs are, and what can be done about the drug problem. Finally, the program will include several true stories of youth and families who have experienced first-hand the effects of drug use and have tried to heal and move on.
An on-line chat hosted at www.hillside.com will begin at 9 p.m. on December 10, immediately following the broadcast. The chat will allow viewers to engage in a dialogue with program guests and experts and offer questions and concerns directly.
"Strung Out: Kids at a Crossroad" is the third program in the "Today's Family" series, developed to increase awareness about critical issues affecting New York State families. The first two shows dealt with teen suicide and domestic abuse.
Hillside Family of Agencies provides youth development, mental health, child welfare, juvenile justice, developmental disabilities, and special education services to children and families throughout Western and Central New York.
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