Forum on teen drug and alcohol prevention

Prevention and intervention will be the focus of the Teen Anti-Drug and Alcohol Forum, Jan. 23, 6-8:30 p.m., in the Sammamish High School cafeteria, 100 140th Ave. S.E.

Topics include understanding the warning signs of drug and alcohol use, how to intervene and what assistance and resources are available. The program will include presentations by guest speakers, a panel discussion and facilitated group discussions.

Parents and families of middle- and high-school students are encouraged to attend. Non-English speakers and the ESL community in particular face more challenges when it comes to accessing resources and obtaining information about substance abuse, so Russian, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese interpreters will be on hand.

Confirmed speakers include: Bellevue Police Chief Linda Pillo; Bellevue Schools Superintendent Dr. Tim Mills; and counselors from Youth Eastside Services.

The forum is free, but space is limited. To RSVP or obtain more information, contact Cultural Diversity Coordinator Kevin Henry at khenry@bellevuewa.gov or 425-452-7886.

The event is part of the Conversations about Race and Culture series sponsored by the Parks & Community Services Cultural Diversity Program and the Police Department. The Bellevue School District is also a sponsor of this event.