SCHOOL VIOLENCE TOPIC OF SPEAKER

JACKSON -- Parents of students who attend Jackson School District can attend a special seminar Sunday to learn ways to prevent their children from using drugs or committing violent acts.

Criminal consultant and guest lecturer David H. Price will present a parents-only seminar at 7 p.m. Sunday at Jackson Middle School. The seminar, entitled "Avoiding the Traps," will teach parents to recognize symptoms of various problems in their children.

Price also will offer suggestions for parents wanting to prevent their children from involvement in drugs, gangs, occult activity and violence. Parents will learn various indicators of involvement and how to look for stored drugs or hidden weapons about their home.

Price also will be a guest speaker during the school district's annual teacher's workshop Monday. The workshop always is held prior to the start of school.

"We're really lucky to have him here," said Sara Nussbaum with the school district. "He's an awesome speaker and has some really good ideas to share with us to help us care fore our children."

Price has worked with at-risk youth and trained law enforcement, health care professionals, mental health workers and school personnel across the nation on the signs of destructive and self-destructive behavior in youth. He was called by the police and mayor of Pearl, Miss., to help investigate the school killings there last year.

He also was involved in developing a criminal profile of the person who abducted Jodie Huisentruit, the television anchorwoman last seen in June 1995.