Dakota and Steele County to host four parent-education events with interactive exhibit in October and November

Know the Truth, the substance-use prevention program of Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge, will once again host a series of community forums to educate parents about teen substance use. This fall, Know the Truth will partner with Steele and Dakota counties to host four educational events for parents and community members, giving them an opportunity to hear firsthand how substance use can affect their families and providing them with tools to prevent it.

2017 Community Forum Dates:

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017Eastview High SchoolApple Valley, Minn.6 - 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017Diamondhead Education CenterBurnsville, Minn.6 - 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017Owatonna High SchoolOwatonna, Minn.6 - 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017Eastview High SchoolApple Valley, Minn.6 - 8:30 p.m.

The community forums in Dakota and Steele counties will feature an interactive exhibit from Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge, “Cracking the Code on Teen Substance Use,” which debuted at this year’s State Fair. The exhibit includes a virtual “visit” with a person serving time for substance use and an interactive tour of common hiding spots in a young person’s bedroom. Parents can learn what signs of substance use to look for in teenagers’ bedrooms, discover how to safeguard the family medicine cabinets, and hear success stories from people who are in recovery.

“We believe in a multipronged approach to prevention,” says Tracee Anderson, community engagement manager at Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge. “In addition to working in the schools educating students about the risks of using drugs and alcohol, we inform parents, teachers and community members about the most current drug trends, signs to look for, and ways to intervene if necessary. The county attorney, sheriff and local law enforcement are always key members of the planning committee.”

Know the Truth began hosting community forums in Anoka County in 2014, after a significant increase in opioid overdoses. The events were successful in reaching close to 1,000 community members.

“We’re hearing alarming statistics almost daily,” says Anderson. “We want to educate as many parents and community members as possible in order to prevent more families from experiencing tragic losses. Every overdose is preventable.”

From 2015 to 2016, Minnesota saw a 9.2 percent increase in drug overdose deaths. Prescription opioids are still the highest overdose killer in Minnesota, however, methamphetamine overdoses rose 60 percent in greater Minnesota. Even more alarming, Know the Truth’s student survey from the 2016-2017 school year revealed that 28 percent of students who had reported illegal drug use, had used prescriptions drugs.

“We have lost too many people to impaired driving and overdose deaths,” says Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom. “To spread the word and prevent substance use, the Sheriff and I are proud to support these educational forums in Dakota County.”

Steele County Attorney Daniel McIntosh says, “I am excited to partner with Know the Truth to bring our community together to continue our common fight against drug and alcohol use by young people. We cannot win this fight without an orientation towards preventing children from using chemicals. Bringing people together to fight substance use is the strongest means we have to lessen the impact of drugs and alcohol in our communities.”

Jodi Hanson, an administrator at Eastview High School adds, “Imagine how effective we could be if we had parents, schools and our community systems all working together toward the common goal of safe, healthy, chemical-free kids.”

CEU’s are available for the Board of Nursing, Social Work, Education and Behavioral Health.

About Know the TruthKnow the Truth (KTT) is the substance-use prevention program of Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge. KTT works within Minnesota communities to help prevent teenage substance use by sharing personal stories about struggles with substance use and by presenting students with information about the dangers of alcohol and drug use. Each year, KTT speaks in more than 160 high schools and middle schools reaching over 60,000 students.

Minnesota Adult and Teen ChallengeTracee Anderson, 715-441-4971Tracee.Anderson@mntc.orgorPineapple RMCassie Roman, 262-510-5624cassie@pineapplerm.com