The city of Santa Clarita will hold its annual Parent Resource Symposium at City Hall to help educate the community on drug trends and teen issues on Wednesday, Sept. 12, starting at 6 p.m.

When a loved one is in need of assistance, you want to get them the help they need before it is too late. From mental health services to rehabilitation and drug prevention resources, taking a proactive approach enables you to have tools at the ready before a problem arises.

The Parent Resource Symposium is a free event that is open to the public. City Hall located at 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Valencia 91355.

The event will be hosted by the city of Santa Clarita in partnership with the County of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital.

The evening will consist of a free resource fair for parents and their teenagers in the Century Room (City Hall first floor), followed by a panel discussion featuring law enforcement, counseling professionals and health advocates in the City Council Chambers.

Panelists invited to participate are:

* Detective William Velek – Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

* Brenda Tumasone – Certified Chemical Dependency Specialist, National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence

* Dawnel DeRubeis – Education Committee Lead, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

* Michelle Krantz – Principal, La Mesa Junior High School

The event will focus on drug laws and trends, as well as common issues affecting teenagers today.

Panelists will share important information regarding the effects of drug use on the body, warning signs and symptoms to spot and resources available for parents and teens to get help for those they know are using.

For more information about the Parent Resource Symposium and efforts made to educate youth in Santa Clarita about living drug-free, please visit HeroinKills.org.