Addiction Prevention, Recovery to Be Discussed at North Allegheny Event

“A Candid Conversation about Drugs, Alcohol and Addiction” on April 21, 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Marshall Middle School is an important first step.

(You can view the recorded presentation here)

The discussion, presented by North Allegheny School District and the NA Citizens Advisory Board, will feature a panel of local experts to talk about drugs, alcohol and addiction and is geared toward parents and caregivers. An RSVP is recommended via https://nasd.school/CandidConversation.

The event will feature Bryan Kiggins, NASD Student Services department chair; Jeff Longo, NASD student assistance program coordinator; Dr. Rebecca Miller, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh; Dr. Abigail Schlesinger, chief of UPMC’s Children’s Hospital Behavioral Science Division; and Dr. J. Deanna Wilson, assistant professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh.

For parents, starting a conversation with their child about drugs and alcohol can be challenging. Those struggling with addiction may not recognize the effects of their behavior or are unwilling to seek treatment, said North Allegheny Superintendent Dr. Melissa Friez.

“As substance abuse statistics rise on a national level, we will only see the number of issues rise inside the district unless we are able to educate and prevent students from going down a harmful path,” she said.