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.
Mayor Don Pellegrino has declared October "Drug Abuse Education Month" in Arcadia. Presentation by Carla Lowe discussing "Current Drug Issues and What We Can Do About Them". Ms. Lowe is on the Board of Directors of the National Federation of Parents for Drug Free Youth.
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.
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.
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.
The Arcadia City Council & School Board members have decided to cooperate on an anti-drug crusade involving the possible resumption of the "cop on campus" program at the Junior high schools and declaring October as drug abuse awareness month.
A group of Arcadia parents have quietly formed and organization to try to reduce teenage alcohol and drug abuse. Still in its formative stages, the yet-unnamed group has proposed serving as chaperones at teen functions, distributing a "caution statement" to local liquor stores, and to establish drug and alcohol-free contracts between parents and teens.
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.
Marijuana is the subject of this first article in a new weekly column on the problems of drugs and their effects. The articles are researched and prepared by Parent Alert.
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.
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.
Marguerite Towsley and Dr. Robert Bell, veterinarian, have been named citizens of the year. Towsley is best known for the fundraising events she has chaired for numerous philanthropic organizations. Bell, president of Parent Alert, has made a considerable contribution toward helping to educate local citizens to the problems of drug abuse an providing guidance in combating them.
A representative of an as-yet unnamed local anti-drug group has been told by the City Council that teen centers have been tried in Arcadia and haven't worked.
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.
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.
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.