ROCKDALE, Texas — Rockdale Independent School District partnered up with Region 6 Education Service Center (ESC) to equip parents with resources that keep them informed about potential substance use among teenagers and provide guidance on addressing such behaviors at an early stage.
In a special presentation on Feb. 12, more than a dozen people were educated about the evolving drug scene that children are being exposed to. Mark Ybarra with Region 6 ESC provided some tips on what to look out for, how parents can talk to kids and what the drug scene is looking like as of late.
"The goal is to try to spread awareness about fentanyl first and foremost," Ybarra said. "Talk a little bit about how prominent it is in various communities, the dangers of fentanyl, how easily accessible it is to people of all ages and just the dangers of what someone taking fentanyl could be. Then the other thing is talking to people about if someone is in the lifestyle of using an illegal substance or contraband, how they can easily hide that in plain sight."
With a hands-on exhibit replicating a child's room, Ybarra showed parents what to look out for, such as objects that are common to hide substances or contraband.
"It may be a transaction that we didn't even know what was going on and so little stuff like that can be important for parents to know that it's happening," Ybarra explained. "I'm not saying that it's happening all the time and every child is doing this, however, I do understand that it is happening and if we can help one child I think it's very important that we do that."
Lauren Williams is one of the many who attended the presentation. She said she attended to get more information on a topic she's not super familiar with.
"The more I know the more I can nip things in the bud or educate my children as well," Williams said. "It was really informative and helpful to see some of the things that our kids are being exposed to, and get some tips and ways to help keep them safe or educate them at home."
What was most shocking to Williams was how common drugs are being exposed to kids and how dangerously accessible they are.
Tiffany Whitsel, Assistant Superintendent with Rockdale ISD, said the district and the school health advisory committee wanted to host the presentation for parents because fentanyl and other drugs have been heavily impacting communities. Whitsel said she hoped parents who attended the presentation walked away with lots of knowledge about the impacts the drug scene has on kids and how they can handle it.
"I think just being able to ask their students or their child questions," Whitsel said. "The other one is just having a little more knowledge in their hip pocket about things that are out in our community, and then just a comfort level to come to the school if they need anything."
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