Cape County promotes virtual program aimed at concerned parents of teens

Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center is renewing its participation, for the first time since 2019, in a November program for parents and educators called "Hidden in Plain Sight".

The program promises to offer insights into current trends in youth substance abuse, drug paraphernalia and concealment of alcohol and drugs — and offers advice on how parents can talk to underage youth suspected of using substances.

A flyer prepared by departmental health educator Stacy Skidmore shows the presentation, accessible virtually at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, will have a two-pronged focus.

• What to look for in a teen's bedroom.
• What to say once substances have been found

"It can be all kinds of things throughout the room (hidden) in false bottoms of soda cans or hair brushes, behind picture frames and hidden pockets of clothing," said Skidmore, who said the county received a $1,000 grant to take part this year — money received from the Prevention Resource Center in conjunction with Southeast Missouri State University's health care coalition.

Skidmore said parents need to be talking with their kids early on about drugs and alcohol -- by no later than their middle school years.

"(Middle school) is when kids start being exposed to substances. (Parents) should be having this conversation before their kids get to that point, about how substances impair the ability to react when driving, for instances, and affect the ability to think appropriately about matters such as sex," she said. "I'm excited the program is virtual this year because people who may be having trouble with their child can take part without encountering anybody else in the community, because people talk. No one will know you are online except you, whether in the privacy of your home or in the classroom."

To register for the free presentation, visit www.bit.ly/HIPS-CapeG.