NORTH READING — Chief Michael Murphy is pleased to announce that the North Reading Police Department is partnering with the North Reading High School Parents Association and Community Impact Team’s Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition to offer a free educational event focused on teen and young adult mental health and substance use.
WHEN:
Tuesday, Feb. 7, at 6:30 p.m.
WHERE:
North Reading High School, 189 Park St., in the Distance Learning Lab
WHAT:
North Reading Police Department is partnering with the North Reading High School Parents Association and Community Impact Team’s Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition to offer a free educational event focused on teen and young adult mental health and substance use.
“We’re aiming to provide the community with local information,” said Chief Murphy. “There are some extremely concerning trends involving fentanyl and counterfeit pills and we want to make sure the community and youth are informed.”
The evening will be presented by North Reading Police Detectives and focus on emerging trends such as fentanyl use, counterfeit pills, “gateway” substances, and local information.
Drug-Free Communities Director Amy Luckiewicz explained, “We think it’s important to provide information that is from North Reading specifically. The presentation will include detailed information on substance use trends within our town and region.”
In addition, North Reading Police Mental Health and Substance Use Clinician Laura Miranda will speak about the connections between substance use and mental health.
“There is a clear correlation between mental health struggles and substance use,” said Miranda. “We see it every day, and it’s important that both are addressed.”
The presentation will also include how to access treatment and resources if anyone is concerned for a loved one.
On the following day, Wednesday, Feb. 8, all North Reading High School students will receive the same presentation.
“We feel that this back-to-back presentation schedule is important to reinforce learning,” Luckiewicz noted. “We want to make sure the adults and youth are both equally informed.”
North Reading School counselors will be on hand to field student questions and concerns, privately if needed.
There is no registration to attend the event. Community members are welcome.
To learn more on how to access treatment resources, please contact Laura Miranda at lmiranda@nrpd.org or call 978-357-5038.
