News

Beebe Partners with Cape Henlopen High School and Others to Educate Parents and Students about Drugs and Alcohol Abuse

04/28/11

""Titled Prom Awareness, two educational events are taking place at Cape Henlopen High School to educate parents and students about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse and their use in the community.

Both events have been organized by Cape Henlopen High School and Beebe Medical Center, with participation by law enforcement and other local community groups.

From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday, May 3, the CAPE Parent Prom Awareness Information Night will take place in the school auditorium. The focus will be to provide parents with information regarding street drugs, alcohol and prescription medication, and the signs and symptoms of their use and abuse. Use of these drugs, especially prescription medications, is on the upswing nationwide by young people. Often, teenagers will take them from their parents' medicine cabinets.

Counselors from Aquila of Delaware and a Beebe Medical Center pharmacist will participate in a panel discussion on trends seen in Sussex County and what to do if parents suspect their children are using drugs. Aquila, which has offices in Wilmington and Georgetown, Delaware, treats teenagers and their families who are dealing with drug and alcohol addiction.

Parents also will be given some information and advice regarding what to expect as students take part in this season of proms and parties.

From 8:30 a.m. until 11:15 a.m. on Wednesday, May 4, the CAPE Student Prom Awareness Program will take place at the school in the auditorium and in the parking lot. The focus of this student event is to highlight the dangers of drugs and alcohol, and of the dangers of driving under the influence. The message will be brought to life in a mock prom car crash scene played out in the parking lot. Lewes Fire Department will cut away portions of the smashed car to free the young people trapped inside. Students will get to see what happens to the victims of a car crash. Students in Cape Henlopen High School's drama program will portray victims. Others taking part in the reenactment will be Beebe Medical Center, Lewes Delaware State Police, Lewes Police Department, University of Delaware Extension Program, Sussex County Paramedics, and Parsell's Funeral Home.

After the outdoor presentation, eleventh and twelfth grade students will go inside the high school to learn more about what they witnessed. Guest speaker will be Bradley Owens, a man who lost his sister in a tragic car accident. Representatives from Beebe Medical Center, Delaware State Police, and Parsell's Funeral Home also will share their messages.

For more information, please call (302) 645-3100, ext. 5192.

Beebe Medical Center is a not-for-profit community medical center with a charitable mission to encourage healthy living, prevent illness, and restore optimal health with the people residing, working, or visiting in the communities we serve. For more information, please visit us online at www.beebemed.org


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