District 88 hosts Student Leadership Symposium

On Feb. 28, the field house at Willowbrook was filled with students from 23 high schools throughout DuPage County.

They came together for a Student Leadership Symposium to discuss the heroin epidemic in the county and state. In 2013, there were 45 heroin-related deaths in DuPage County. That number surpasses the county’s record of 38 heroin-related deaths in 2012. The students talked about substance abuse, how to become a leader in their schools and communities to create awareness and how to elicit help for those in need. DuPage Regional Office of Education Superintendent Dr. Darlene J. Ruscitti, Angelica Selvaggio and Felicia Miceli with the LTM Heroin Awareness and Support Foundation Inc. and recovering heroin addict Nick Gore shared their stories with the students and discussed the importance of the symposium.

District 88 is committed to helping put an end to the heroin epidemic in the county. The safety of students and staff is the district’s No. 1 priority, and two other events to educate students and parents/guardians about the heroin issue will take place in March.

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.

The district and local officials recently filmed a video with Addison Community Television (ACTV) to promote the importance of these events. To see the video, go to http://addisonadvantage.org/actv/index.shtml. 

To reach out to the Spanish-speaking community, Addison Trail hosted a heroin awareness presentation during its Padres Latinos en Acción meeting on Feb. 25. During that meeting, parents/guardians heard a presentation from Addison Trail staff members Jorge de Leon and Rolando Rocha, which included videos and information about various drugs, how to speak with your child about drugs and the heroin epidemic in DuPage County and Illinois. Dr. Calvin George, with George Chiropractic in Addison and a member of the Addison Rotary Club, shared his story about how drugs have affected two of his family members.

District 88 will continue to support the county in these efforts to ensure the safety of students.