Friday, October 2, 2009

Families to learn about the hardcore facts on substance abuse

Parent University workshop to discuss
children and chemical dependency
DEA special agent to offer parents information on the hardcore facts
about drugs

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Steven R. Peterson, special agent with the U.S.
Department of Justice, will present the session, "Substance Abuse -
The Hardcore Facts - Children and Chemical Dependency" on Tuesday,
Oct. 6, from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the Muslim American Society (4301
Shamrock Drive). The free session, part of Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Schools' Parent University, is designed to help parents recognize
symptoms of chemical dependency in their children, spouse or other
family members.

The workshop will include a discussion about legal and illegal drugs
with an emphasis on nicotine, alcohol, methamphetamines, ecstasy,
inhalants and marijuana. Participants will also learn how to recognize
symptoms of chemical dependency and learn the importance of early
recognition and treatment of substance abuse.

"This workshop addresses a topic that touches our entire community,"
said Jerri Haigler, executive director of Family and Community
Services/Parent University. "It's critical that parents understand the
pressures their children are facing and how to detect the signs. Our
free workshops are designed to help parents help their children become
successful in school and in life."

Peterson has been a special agent with the Justice Department's Drug
Enforcement Administration (DEA) for more than 27 years. He has worked
hundreds of hours undercover and made over a thousand arrests during
his tenure. He has received dozens of awards in recognition for his
work with the DEA. Peterson has served as the DEA training coordinator
for the Atlanta Field Division for the past nine years and has trained
thousands of federal, state and local narcotic investigators
throughout the Southeast.

Two additional sessions have also been scheduled on this topic:
Thursday, Oct. 8 - Providence High School (1800 Pineville-Matthews
Road) - 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 3 - Coulwood Middle School (500 Kentberry Drive,
Charlotte, NC 28214) - 6:30-8:00 p.m.