Arcadia Council PTA is joining with Parent Alert in sponsoring two town meetings to encourage parents and other citizens to join a community-wide campaign aimed at fighting school age substance abuse. Meeting to be held at 7:45 P.M. on succeeding Wednesdays, Nov. 2 and 9 at First Avenue Junior High School auditorium.
A new group called Parent Alert is being formed by local parents concerned with drug abuse in Arcadia. A phone number (447-6758 AM to PM) is currently open for information queries. The group hopes to see a hotline established. They are also encouraging the school board to develop drug education programs.
October has been declared Adolescent Drug Abuse Education Month honoring the efforts of Parent Alert, a community group whose goal is to encourage residents to educate themselves regarding the problems of drug abuse. Activities of the group and programs scheduled for the month are outlined.
Discussion of Parent Alert's activities including their 24-hour hotline (574-0600). The group, with 500-600 members, has been active for 10 years. REACH (Responsible Educated Adolescents Can Help) is an arm of the organization which is primarily concerned with drug and alcohol abuse among young people.
Dr. Robert and Mrs. Bell discuss the activities and services of Parent Alert. Over 75 families have been involved over the past two years in the support group aimed at helping educate parents about drugs.
Parent Alert has developed an educational drug program for 5th and 6th grade students. Titled "It's Your Decision," it teaches youngsters some of the important facts about drug abuse. The one-hour program took 2 years to develop. It is now ready for any teacher desirous of this service by calling Parent Alert at 446-3860.
Police Chief Charles Mitchell discusses the activities of Parent Alert, whose 400 members have worked to alert parents to the dangers of drug usage by their children.
Don Fickas, president of the Arcadia Board of Education, praises Parent Alert's drug abuse education and prevention programs. He describes the schools' efforts at teaching students about the dangers of drugs.
Members of Parent Alert accused the Board of Education of dragging their feet in developing curriculum aimed at educating students on substance abuse. Such a curriculum is required by the California Health and Education Code. The district has been out of compliance with the code for more than 3 years.
Arcadia's Parent Alert will play a major role in the first statewide conference of Californians for Drug-Free Use to be held at the Huntington-Sheraton Hotel in Pasadena on Oct. 7 and 8.
Marilyn Bryant has been named head of Parent Alert. The organization has a 24-hour hotline which will be advertised through telephone and bumper stickers.
Mayor Don Pellegrino has declared October to be Drug Abuse Education Month. Dr. Robert E. Bell, president of Parent Alert, discusses the group's programs and activities. Talks are scheduled at PTA and service club meetings.
The Arcadia Council PTA in cooperation with Parent Alert has organized evening programs for parents of all 5th and 6th grade, junior and senior high school students. The programs are designed to offer education on drug abuse.
Police Chief Charles Mitchell praises the work of the community based parent group Parent Alert. He discusses drug abuse in the area and the Police Department's role in helping prevent drug abuse.
Parents attending the school board meeting pressed for increased substance abuse education. The board expressed a reluctance to expand the program at the expense of more basic courses.
Discussion of new Postal Alert program, a cooperative effort of the Arcadia Post Office and the Arcadia Senior Citizens office to aid citizens who need help.
Seven San Gabriel Valley police departments have started a new program that will coordinate efforts to trace criminals who do not limit their activities to one city. Hopefully this will avoid duplication of effort by the various cities.
The Arcadia Educational Foundation presented $35,000 to the Board of Education. Their efforts to solicit community support through various fundraisers is ongoing.