‘Open It Up’ Get the facts on drug use on the mountain–Town Hall Friday, 7 p.m.

We’ve all got questions about the link between drugs, our kids and our community. We can be embarrassed to ask them. But that is about to change, say teams of people who have worked for five years here to bring the issues into the open.

This Friday, March 21 at 7 p.m. the public conversation opens up. A special ‘Open It Up!’ Town Hall on a Drug Free Community is being convened by Pine Mountain Club for all the mountain. Your questions will be center stage, and answers will be the priority.

Agent-in-Charge for Kern County Carl Beckett with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has a message for our community about drugs and kids.

“Denial is over,” parents are saying. “We are ready to start talking openly about these things here…it is time for a community conversation.”

What is the top drug-related cause of injury and death to young people now? What is the changing role of Mexican drug cartels in Kern County? Why does it sometimes take so long for law enforcement to make an arrest after receiving a tip? What is the good news about our local community? What are the simple things we can all do to be part of the solution?

In his comments, Beckett will tell how ‘spice’ and bath salts are causing injuries and deaths to Kern County’s young people. Do you know what those are, what they look like and what they do?

There is great news too. MyC3 (Mountain Youth Can Change Communities) will present one of their award-winning media projects: “Keep Being Our Parents.”

Come out for the real scoop about local drug activity and all the good things there are for teens to do on the mountain.

March 21 • 7 p.m.
Pine Mountain Club Condor Room
•All Mountain residents invited•
No-host dinner available at clubhouse restaurant from 5 p.m.
2524 Beechwood Dr.
(off Mil Potrero Highway)

This is part of the March 21, 2014 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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