DA’s Office to Host “Hidden in Plain Sight” Initiative at Taunton Galleria to Help Parents Spot the Signs of Substance Abuse
Bristol County District Attorney’s Office
Thomas M. Quinn III
District Attorney
Press Release
August 18, 2016
Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn’s office will be hosting an interactive display at the Silver City Galleria Mall in Taunton this weekend called, Hidden in Plain Sight.
The display is a mock teenage bedroom that is designed to raise awareness about the signs of addiction or drug use a parent might or might not notice in their child’s room. The items in the room can range from alcohol, tobacco and marijuana related paraphernalia to items associated with prescription drug and heroin use.
The Hidden In Plain Sight initiative will assist parents spot signs of at-risk behaviors by using an interactive display of a teenager’s bedroom. The display will be staffed by volunteers from the district attorney’s office and the Taunton Opiate Task Force. The volunteers, through the use of the interactive display, will teach parents to see the signs of hidden substance abuse. The program uses a re-created bedroom of a typical teenager to test parents’ knowledge of common items that can be signs that the teen is using drugs or drinking alcohol.
District Attorney Quinn’s office is hosting this display in collaboration with the Silver City Galleria, Macy’s and the Taunton Opiate Task Force. The exhibit will be open to adults 21 and over from August 19-21, 2016, 12pm-9pm (Friday & Saturday) 1pm-6pm Sunday. The exhibit will be located on the second floor above center court in the space between Rover 360 and Olympia Sports.
This display is the first of its kind in Bristol County and it will be made available at other locations across Bristol County during the coming months (dates and locations to be announced).
The opioid epidemic currently plaguing the nation has been felt in Bristol County’s cities and towns. Families throughout Bristol County have been affected by this crisis. Some have lost loved ones and others search for treatment and support. This special event seeks to educate families on the signs of addiction so they can seek assistance and treatment before it is too late.
“This is part of our initiative to bring awareness to parents to help them address issues related to drug use before they spiral out of control,” said District Attorney Quinn. “Education and awareness is critical to addressing the opiate crisis.”
Contact:
Gregg Miliote
Director of Communications
508-997-0711
774-292-9576—cell