District 88 and local organizations to host heroin awareness events

At District 88, the safety of students and staff is the No. 1 priority.

As part of that commitment to safety, District 88 has partnered with DuPage County to educate students and parents/guardians about the heroin epidemic in the county and state and the dangers of that illegal drug.

In partnership with the DuPage County Regional Office of Education, local police officials and high schools throughout DuPage County, District 88 will host a Student Leadership Symposium on Feb. 28 at Willowbrook. The symposium will bring student leaders from throughout the county together to create awareness and understanding of the rise of drug use in the county, especially heroin.

On March 18, Addison Trail and the Addison Police Department will host a Heroin Awareness presentation for parents/guardians and students. The event will begin at 7 p.m. at Addison Trail and will focus on the dangers of heroin and how to support those who might be struggling with addiction. The event is meant for students in sixth through twelfth grades and their parents/guardians.

Willowbrook will host a similar event starting at 7 p.m. on March 11.

Starting at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 20, Good Samaritan United Methodist Church in Addison will host a Heroin Awareness Prevention Panel. The goal of that event is to have a discussion panel with a multifaceted perspective on the effects of heroin use in the community. The LTM Heroin Awareness and Support Foundation will be a featured speaker on the panel and will provide a resource table with heroin awareness handouts. District 88 Superintendent Dr. Scott Helton also will be a speaker on the panel.

District 88 will continue to support the county in this effort to ensure the safety of students.