The Hart School District has scheduled an online free webinar for Thursday, January 24, 2013 from 6:30 – 7:30 pm, to educate parents and students about drugs that are being used by students in local neighborhoods. This is the first in 2013 of an ongoing series and will focus on alcohol use and drug abuse.

Visit https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/881739150 to register.

The District’s drug awareness and education program, called CADRE (Comprehensive Alcohol and Drug Reduction and Education), in coordination with Medtox Laboratories have developed a program to help parents and students understand these issues, encourage prevention and provide support.

“The District is committed to helping our community, parents and students to become drug free and drug aware,” Kathy Hunter, Director of Student Services said. “We are continuing our very informative webinar series and will continue to add information on the District’s website to better inform and educate parents.”

The CADRE program empowers students by giving them a reason to say NO to illegal drug and alcohol use and also provides parents with assurances that their sons or daughters are not using drugs or alcohol. CADRE offers voluntary random drug testing which gives students a reason to say NO to drug use, while promoting a safe and drug-free school environment and encouraging responsible decision making.

Additionally, CADRE offers seminars to educate students and parents about the types of drugs used and abused in the school community and how to detect signs of drug or alcohol use. CADRE also offers counseling support by an approved licensed drug counselor when drug use has been detected.

CADRE is a voluntary program of the Hart School District. More information is available on the District’s website: http://hartdistrict.org/index.php/students/cadre.

The webinar will be posted for future viewing on the above website approximately three weeks following the presentation. The previous webinars are available for viewing on the website.

The Hart School District works closely with the SCV Sheriff’s Department and the City of Santa Clarita in a pro-active approach to keep students safe and drug free, through education and school and citywide programs. Last fall, this group launched the Drug Free Youth in Town (DFYIT) program to provide drug education, prevention and resources. Visit www.DFYit.com for more information.