As a parent or guardian to a young person, would you be able to recognize if your teen was engaged in risky behavior? In April, area middle schools will be hosting Hidden in Plain Sight, a free initiative to educate adults in the community about how to spot signs of substance abuse among youth. Horizon Middle School will be hosting Hidden in Plain Sight on Tuesday, April 2nd at 7:00 PM. Simle Middle School will be hosting Hidden in Plain Sight on Thursday, April 11th at 6:30 PM.
Bismarck Public Schools, the Police Youth Bureau, School Resource Officers, School Nurses, and Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health’s Substance Abuse Prevention Staff are partnering together for the Hidden in Plain Sight initiative. The event will consist of a mock bedroom for parents to walk through, a professional panel covering the most up-to-date prevention information, and resources to best protect your child from substance misuse. Parents can learn how to spot warning signs, how to prevent easy access to alcohol and other drugs and get tips for communicating with their youth.
Bismarck consistently ranks at or above state averages when it comes to teen substance use. According to the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 30% of Bismarck-Mandan High School students currently drank alcohol in the past 30 days compared to 24% of ND High School students. Vaping, marijuana use, and other substances are also a problem among Bismarck youth.
“Open communication, consistent monitoring, and clear boundaries can go a long way in preventing underage drinking and other substance misuse” said Isabelle Ballalatak, BBPH Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist. All area elementary, middle, and high school parents are welcome to attend the Hidden in Plain Sight Event.
To learn more about Hidden in Plain Sight, contact the Bismarck Burleigh Public Health Substance Abuse Prevention Program at 701-355-1594.