A recent informal survey has led to a series of forums by the Family Guidance Center of Warren County.
Drug use, bullying and alcohol use are the main concerns of Warren County parents, according to new survey.
To address those issues, the Coalition for Healthy and Safe Communities is coordinating a series of public town hall meetings.
The coalition conducted the informal survey under the direction of Prevention Connections, which is a program of the nonprofit Family Guidance Center of Warren County.
The survey was held at this year's National Night Out event in Washington Township in early August. It was intended to assess parents' attitudes, beliefs and concerns pertaining to alcohol and drug use in the Washington area and other nearby communities.
RELATED: Warren County prosecutor among those honored at event
Forty-five parents participated. The results showed three prevailing concerns:
- 23 percent of those surveyed said that teenage drug use is the leading concern for young people;
- 20 percent of believe that bullying is the second-most pressing issue, and;
- 16 percent reported that teenage alcohol use is the third-most pressing issue.
The survey revealed that 62 percent of parents say they are unaware of the extent to which alcohol and drugs are present within the schools and their community.
According to the Coalition for Healthy and Safe Communities, the public forums will allow families to voice their concerns and to learn about the work being done to address these concerns.
The forums, called "Survival Tips in a Changing World," have been scheduled for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the following times and locations:
- Sept. 29 at Belvidere Fire Hall, 689 Water St., Belvidere
- Oct. 1 at St. Luke's Hospital, 185 Roseberry St., Phillipsburg
- Oct. 6 at Trinity Methodist Church, 213 Main St., Hackettstown
- Oct. 8 at Warren County Community College, 475 Route 57 W., Washington
The meetings will include panelists and question-and-answer segments from the audience.
The meetings are free and open to the public. For information, call 908-223-1985 or email project assistant Kim Spangenberg of the Family Guidance Center at kspangenberg@fgcwc.org.
The Family Guidance Center of Warren County provides mental health and substance abuse treatment services in the Phillipsburg, Washington and Hackettstown areas.
It has a mission of improving the quality of life of children and adults affected by problems related to mental illness, substance abuse, family conflict or emotional adjustment.
Email KJ Frantz at kjfrantz@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow lehighvalleylive.com on Twitter at @lehighvalley. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
l