By Jane M. Hardin, M.Ed., Associate Professor of Practice, Simmons College, Boston, MA
The news often brings us issues of importance for children with disabilities and their families. One issue that has been of particular importance is the high number of children and adolescents tragically impacted by OPIOD addiction. Massachusetts has been on the forefront of this issue, creating some innovative programs to help, rather than convict those who are caught in the chains of drug addiction. Even so, OPIOD addiction continues to plague many within our state. Often, children who are struggling with their identity, or those who experience academic and learning challenges in school may be more susceptible to OPIOD abuse. As a result, police, health care workers, first responders, parents, and educators are all trying to figure out their own ways to identify and prevent addiction.
In an effort to highlight this important educational issue, the MA Council for Exceptional Children along with Simmons College are co-sponsoring a one day event entitled, Opiate Use & Disabilities: Increasing Resiliency & Decreasing Risk. This conference will occur on Saturday, April 2nd in the Paresky Conference Center at Simmons College. The keynote address will be given by Dr. Kerry Wilkins, an expert in adolescent psychology and substance abuse. In addition, there will be a panel of students and teachers who can speak to multiple perspectives on the issue from Liberty Prep Academy in Springfield, Massachusetts. Finally, we are honored to present the exhibit, “Hidden in Plain Sight” created by the staff at the South Shore Hospital. This exhibit replicates a teenager's bedroom and highlights items that could easily conceal drugs in plain view of parents and other family members.
This conference will have many resources available for those in attendance, so we encourage you to come, invite members of your staff, and/or bring your friends to learn more about how we can help slow the pace of this too prevalent threat to our children and our communities.
The news often brings us issues of importance for children with disabilities and their families. One issue that has been of particular importance is the high number of children and adolescents tragically impacted by OPIOD addiction. Massachusetts has been on the forefront of this issue, creating some innovative programs to help, rather than convict those who are caught in the chains of drug addiction. Even so, OPIOD addiction continues to plague many within our state. Often, children who are struggling with their identity, or those who experience academic and learning challenges in school may be more susceptible to OPIOD abuse. As a result, police, health care workers, first responders, parents, and educators are all trying to figure out their own ways to identify and prevent addiction.
In an effort to highlight this important educational issue, the MA Council for Exceptional Children along with Simmons College are co-sponsoring a one day event entitled, Opiate Use & Disabilities: Increasing Resiliency & Decreasing Risk. This conference will occur on Saturday, April 2nd in the Paresky Conference Center at Simmons College. The keynote address will be given by Dr. Kerry Wilkins, an expert in adolescent psychology and substance abuse. In addition, there will be a panel of students and teachers who can speak to multiple perspectives on the issue from Liberty Prep Academy in Springfield, Massachusetts. Finally, we are honored to present the exhibit, “Hidden in Plain Sight” created by the staff at the South Shore Hospital. This exhibit replicates a teenager's bedroom and highlights items that could easily conceal drugs in plain view of parents and other family members.
This conference will have many resources available for those in attendance, so we encourage you to come, invite members of your staff, and/or bring your friends to learn more about how we can help slow the pace of this too prevalent threat to our children and our communities.
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