WARSAW — Purdue Extension health and wellness educators presented the ‘Hidden in Plain Sight’ program yesterday, April 24, at the Kosciusko County Purdue Extension office.

Jackie Franks, Kosciusko County HHS extension educator, and Allison Goshorn, LaPorte County HHS extension educator, hosted the presentation. They discussed how youth will hide items in their rooms that, upon first glance, parents and family members think is a harmless item.

However, there are several items people can buy online that resemble food products, but in reality are storage containers used to hide drugs or alcohol.

“Drugs, sex, language and alcohol usually go together,” Goshorn said. “When you have one, you have the other.”

Officers from the Warsaw Police Department were also present to inform community members about what youth in Kosciusko County currently partake in regarding drugs and alcohol.

Students are investing in Juul vaping devices, which resemble computer USB drives. Kids put THC oil in vaping devices and bring them to school.

The presentation focused primarily on drugs and opioids, with brief discussions on alcohol, inhalants and self-harm.

“Sometimes we have a stigma or set mindset when it comes to opioids,” Goshorn said. “But it’s actually pretty easy to get addicted to opioids.”

Toward the end of the presentation, Franks and Goshorn strongly encouraged community members to engage in positive parenting behaviors to help prevent further substance abuse in the community.