Abacoa & Alton Neighbors - May 2021

M a y 2 0 2 1 | Abacoa &Alton N E I G H B O R S 25 senior year at FSU, he reached out to his parents often as he wrapped up his studies and planned to come home. “We were so focused on his mental health and getting the help we thought he needed for his depression that we never realized he was in a life-or-death struggle with opioids,” said John Makris. “When he did ask for our help for his addiction, he went through a local treatment program and was in a sober home after. Sadly, it just took one time of using drugs laced with Fentanyl for us to lose him just a year ago.” Designed to offer an exceptional interactive opportunity for education and parenting tips, “Some Days We Thrive; Others We Survive” has been created specifically for parents, guardians, caregivers, grandparents, foster parents, educators and more. Scheduled monthly on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., on March 25, April 22, May 19 and June 24, the programming will address topics including: how to help preschool to high-school students navigate anxiety and stress; tips and guidelines on raising healthy kids who are free from substance use; drug culture trends in our community and how parents can spot the signs; and the importance of challenging the ways kids see drugs and alcohol portrayed in the media. “Hanley Foundation is all about family, and family time is time well spent,” said Jan Cairnes, Hanley Foundation CEO. “We know that family time, education and connection are keys to preventing substance misuse. We are offering this parenting series to increase awareness and hopefully change minds around the stigma of addiction. In the end, our goal is really to save lives. While the series is hosted virtually due to the pandemic, we also know that the pandemic is why so many families are feeling unprecedented strain and stress, and substance use is on a dramatic rise. We hope this series will be both beneficial and educational.” Hanley Foundation combats substance use disorders within our communities by raising awareness and providing prevention education programming in schools and communities throughout Florida. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to working alongside community partners to promote healthy lifestyles and positively influence attitudes, norms and values by empowering individuals and families. Through its Lifesaver Scholarship Program, the Foundation also helps supply treatment scholarships to individuals with demonstrated needs in Palm Beach County. “Before he passed, Brice told us his goal was to save 100 men and women from this insidious disease,” said John Makris. “His goal is now our mission. Together with the resources Hanley Foundation has to offer, we are striving to honor our son and save lives. We hope other parents will join us for this important parenting series.” To learn more about Hanley Foundation’s parenting series or for more information about substance use disorder prevention programming, please visit hanleyfoundation.org or contact Hanley Foundation’s Chief Program Officer Ryan Wertepny at 561-268-2351. COMMUNITY NEWS Upcoming Events: Thursday, May 19, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. Officer Jermain Galloway, also known as “Tall Cop,” is an expert in various drug and alcohol trends and has special- ized in underage drinking and drug enforcement. Officer Galloway’s many years of experience have taught him one thing above all else: “You can’t stop what you don’t know.” He will speak to the ever-evolving drug culture trends in our community and how everyday items that you might not have taken a second look at will take on a whole new meaning once you learn about drug culture. Thursday, June 24, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. Dr. DeBenedittis is the developer of the popular evidence- based prevention curriculum, the Alcohol Literacy Chal- lenge (ALC). ALC effectively reduces underage and binge drinking because it systematically challenges the beliefs individuals hold about the effects of alcohol. He explains the importance of media literacy and how media uses advertisements to sell the beliefs associated with their products and not necessarily the products themselves. Check us out a t: sunshineveterinaryhospital.com call: 561-250-7730 Taking care of pets and their people! Located at: 2525 Military Trail Ste 107 Jupiter, FL 33458