A forum will be held in LincolnThursday, Jan. 11 to discuss drug use in the community.
The forum will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the pavilion at McBean Park, 65 McBean Park Drive.
The purpose of the forum is to increase awareness of drug abuse in communities such as Lincoln, identify how drug-related behavior affects communities and brainstorm possible solutions.
The forum is sponsored by the Placer County Mental Health Drug & Alcohol Board. It’s the first of three forums being held countywide as part of a methamphetamine awareness campaign organized by PlacerCountyin cooperation with other local agencies.
“Meth use and underage drinking are problems in communities throughout Placer Countyand nationwide. Anyone can be a drug user: honor-roll students, athletes, mothers and fathers,” said Sheriff Ed Bonner. “We hope community members will attend the Jan. 11 forum to get a better idea of what’s happening in their community, ask any questions they have and talk about potential prevention strategies.”
Sheriff Ed Bonner will serve as facilitator at the Lincoln forum.
Scheduled speakers include:
- Chief Brian Vizzusi of the Lincoln Police Department;
- Dr. Richard Burton, Placer County’s health officer and director of the county Health and Human Services Department; and
- Christy Crandell, a local resident who authored “Lost & Found,” a book that focuses on preventing drug and alcohol abuse.
The forum also will feature a panel discussion by local youths.
Light refreshments will be served. Child care with homework help will be provided.
For more information, call 530-889-7238.
Other community forums are scheduled to be held Jan. 23 at Jake’s by the Lake restaurant in Tahoe Cityand March 21 at Parkside Churchin Auburn.
As part of the meth-awareness campaign, Placer Countyhas produced a video titled “It’s a Fact: Meth is Our Problem.” Targeted primarily at adults, the video is being distributed to the media, schools, law enforcement agencies, social service providers and community groups.
The county also is working with high school groups in Auburn, Roseville, Lincoln, Rocklin, Truckee and Kings Beachto create meth-awareness videos targeted at local youths.
The program’s goals include increasing awareness of problems created by meth use in Placer County, informing residents about what they can do to help prevent meth use and alerting residents to resources that are available.