Local News in Brief : Huntington Beach : Schools, Police Offer Program on Drug Abuse

High school students and teachers will host a substance abuse education program for parents and youths Thursday night in the City Council Chamber. The 7:30 p.m. meeting is open to the public. There is no admission charge.

The Awareness ’88 program is the first of two presentations about substance abuse sponsored by Project NODS (No on Drugs In School). NODS, a consortium of Huntington Beach Union High School and Oceanview (elementary) districts and the Huntington Beach Police Department, was formed in October as a clearinghouse and community information center funded by state and federal grants.

Huntington Beach High School teacher Bill Morehouse will moderate the program, with other staff and students from the school participating. Former Huntington Beach undercover Narcotics Officer Ken Whitley will describe what “street drugs” are and the paraphernalia used with them. Substance abuse counselor Tim Chapman will review the symptoms and behavior of substance abusers, with an emphasis on prevention.

A second educational program, focusing on the importance of self-esteem as a prevention measure against substance abuse, will be offered May 18, according to NOD director Diane Wieder.