On Saturday, while the season was celebrated at the PTSO Holly Fair, room 115 in Johnston High School was totally off limits for those under the age of 18.
The science room had been transformed to look like an average teenager’s bedroom, complete with a half-made bed, a desk covered in candy wrappers, a nightstand with an empty Coke can and snacks, and sneakers strewn about.
But this was far from an ordinary bedroom. It was a completely interactive opportunity to look into a mock teenager’s bedroom full of 50 household items used to hide or disguise drug, alcohol or tobacco use and other risky behaviors.
“This helps to show parents where kids might hide either substances or anything that might indicate a risky behavior. This shows parents what to look out for,” said Jennifer O’Neil, the Johnston Prevention Coalition coordinator at the Tri-County Community Action Agency, who helped facilitate the event. “Ordinary items can be very, very deceiving when used to hide something kids don’t want parents to see.”
Adults were asked to walk through and find the items, which were each marked with a brightly colored and numbered dot, as well as clues to be looking for in a teen’s room that could be a warning sign.
While many of the items found in the demonstration could be found in any child’s room and may be totally innocent, the intent was to bring awareness and give parents tools that would ultimately bring important discussions to the forefront with teens. Places like remote control battery spaces, under the sole of a shoe or in a used candy wrapper may seem innocuous but make great hiding spots.
“Pills can be hidden right in plain sight in a used candy wrapper,” said O’Neil. “A vaping device may be placed near flash drives as they look so similar.”
The display also showed how a collection of used water bottles may be used to store alcoholic beverages without parents ever knowing.
“Ultimately, this is a piece to help educate parents, because many parents may be unfamiliar with what things look like, such as a vaping device,” said O’Neil. “It’s just a really good opportunity to start a conversation. It’s not to scare parents in any way, it’s not to imply that they are going to find things in their kid’s room, but it’s just to start that conversation that there could be things hidden in plain sight.”
O’Neil said that 90 percent of those who suffer from addictions as an adult started using before they were 18 years old. She added that the major concern affecting children now is the increased use of vaping devices. O’Neil also said that the exhibit was for adults only to prevent kids from getting new ideas.
“Even a good kid can share a thought or a concept with a friend who might do it,” she said.
For more information on warning signs, what to look for, and how to talk with children about substance use visit www.riprevention.org/southern-providence.
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