Seminar is tonight on drug abuse

A seminar aimed at helping parents recognize the red flags that their children may be using drugs will be held tonight at Hillside Middle School.

The discussion, titled "Connecting the Dots," was organized by Michael Doron, whose 17-year-old son Joey died of a drug overdose in the summer of 2005. Doron said looking back there were signs that at the time he didn't recognize but all pointed to possible drug use.

Spoons missing from the kitchen, tin foil cut into small squares and black smudges on the corners of a shirt are all signs that someone might be using drugs.

That's where Doron came up with the title, "Connecting the Dots." By the time he was able to connect all these odd behaviors, his son was already fighting an addiction that would eventually take his life.

Tonight's seminar will focus on how to spot those early signs of drug use and what to do if a parent suspects a son or daughter is using drugs. Speakers will include Dr. Jim Marchel, a psychologist and substance abuse expert, and Salt Lake County Sheriff's Sgt. Jason Mazuran, also an expert on juveniles and drugs.

One of the messages expected to be discussed is that drug addiction can happen to any child, regardless of race, sex, religion or family income. Mazuran told the Deseret Morning News in November that parents need to not be in denial that it could happen in their house.

"They think, 'Not my kid, not in my area.' They're not even looking for it. It sneaks up on them," Mazuran said. "As a result, they're not prepared for it. They don't take measures in their own home or do simple things such as increasing their own awareness."

The session, sponsored by the Jewish Family Service, is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the school, 2375 E. Garfield Ave. (1875 South). Admission is free.

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E-mail: preavy@desnews.com