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Drug Awareness Event Launches in Beaver County

Community Health Challenge (CHC) and community partners are launching Forward /U., an initiative to help teens recognize and confront negative pressures and behaviors.

Forward/U. is an interactive choice-coaching program that brings parents and teens together for a day of awareness activities. The campaign’s focus is empowering teens to make smart decisions about drugs, alcohol, and other destructive behaviors.

On April 15, 2012, Beaver County will host its firstForward /U. event at the CCBC Monaca Campus. The day’s events include teen-only activities like “Tag-It”, in which participants identify  negative  influences in  their communities and  share  ways  to  stay  above them. Parents  will  explore  a  mock  teen  bedroom  and  identify  types  of  drugs  and  drug paraphernalia. Other activities include a mock car crash,  and  guest  speakers who  will educate on a variety of substance abuse and safety topics.

CHC director Lori Vish-Stearns says, “The more parents and teens are aware of the risks around them, the better prepared they’ll be to confront them, make informed decisions, clarify  personal  goals,  and  effectively  achieve  them.  Forward/U.  heightens  “influence literacy” among parents and teens and promotes critical thinking and individuality.”

Registration for the 2012 Forward /U. April 15 Event is required. To register online or learn more about Forward/U., visit  www.forwardu.org or call Community Health Challenge at 724-432-3474.

*For the current list of Forward /U. community partners, please visit the www.forwardu.org website

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