Stories in this Issue:
HBO's Addiction Documentary Premieres in Raleigh
Thousands at Easter Egg Festival Hear Drug-Free Message
Parent Network Conference
TeenFest 2K7 Draws National Support
by Elizabeth Bunn
Elon, NC (April 26th) — Substance abuse prevention professionals and volunteers from across North Carolina descended on the First United Methodist Church in Elon. The group wasn’t there to worship, but a common theme united them: “Raising Healthy Children: Parents and Communities Together.”
The 3rd Annual North Carolina Parent Network Conference offered two days of presentations and workshops geared toward North Carolina professionals who are working to promote parent-centered involvement in substance abuse prevention.
During the opening session, Families in Action Executive Director Phil Mooring presented North Carolina’s Attorney General, Roy Cooper, with the “Sticking Your Neck Out for the Kids” award. The honor comes for Cooper’s work to prevent methamphetamine abuse, protect children from internet predators, and to strengthen child pornography laws. Lisa Mares, Assistant Policy Director for the NC Department of Justice, accepted the award on behalf of the Attorney General.
Speakers in attendance covered a range of topics. Dr. Scott Swartzwelder, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke Medical Center, presented information on adolescent brain development and risks associated with drug use. A panel discussion on preventing underage drinking, featuring Nancy Hunter from Buncombe County, whose daughter died in an alcohol related crash, highlighted the second day of the conference. Dylan Mulrooney-Jones, Project Coordinator for the NC Preventing Underage Drinking Initiative, ALE Agent Brian Doward, and two Elon University Students, Jesse Young and David Morrow, also shared the knowledge and expertise.
The conference also featured sessions on preventing methamphetamine abuse and prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse. Participants had an opportunity to hear from successful community substance abuse prevention coalitions and to hear from representatives from The Duke Endowment and The NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund.
Additional sessions focused on working with the faith community and use of the Pride Survey for measuring student alcohol and drug use as well as behavior on many crucial issues that can affect learning, family, conduct, safety, activities, gang involvement, and more.
According to, Dawn Wilde, Director of the Coalition for a Safe and Drug-Free Clay County, “The speakers were all dynamic, well-informed and motivational. I left the meeting armed with information and materials that I brought back to our county to use. This sharing of ideas and being able to utilize projects already completed by others, only helps us grow as a Coalition and do more for the youth we serve”.
Created and coordinated by the NC Parent Resource Center at Families in Action, the NC Parent Network is a statewide initiative that offers support and networking opportunities to the increasing number of volunteers and substance abuse prevention professionals who are working to help parents prevent their children from using alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs.
Mooring says, “The Parent Resource Center at Families in Action and the NC Parent Network is an outgrowth of North Carolina’s commitment to increase parent centered prevention throughout the state”.
The NC Parent Network provides structure for the sharing of information and ideas, and peer support for community groups who are working to effectively involve parents as partners in prevention. Funding is provided through the Office of Prevention and Early Intervention of the NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services. For more information contact Elizabeth Bunn at 252.237.1242 or go to www.familiesinaction.org.
Lisa Mares, Assistant Police Director for the NC Department of Justice, accepts the “Sticking Your Neck Out For the Kids” on behalf of North Carolina Attorney General, Roy Cooper. Families in Action, Executive Director, Phil Mooring is presenting.
Burlington’s Blessed Sacrament School’s 7th and 8th Grade Chorus helps welcome conference attendees
Dylan Mulrooney-Jones, Project Coordinator for the NC Preventing Underage Drinking Initiative, addresses attendees
Partnership for a Drug-Free America
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America
Office of National Drug Control Policy
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminnistration
Partnership for a Drug-Free NC