submitted by Arbor Circle
HOLLAND, Mich. – Today, youth can easily conceal vapes, alcohol, and other substances with everyday objects. At first glance, a parent or teacher might see a hi-liter, but it is a vape pen. A water bottle on the nightstand looks normal but can come apart to stash substances.
Not sure what to look for or even where to begin? That is okay. Parents can take a virtual tour through a teenager’s room staged with 44 different concealment containers, vape pens, and other indicators of youth substance use.
“Many of these items are trending among teens in West Michigan, which is why we placed them in the room,” says Leigh Moerdyke, program director of prevention and advocacy at Arbor Circle. “Keep in mind, not all of these items will be in a teen’s possession, but this will give an idea of different things to look for in a teen’s room or school bag.”
The virtual teen room tour comes through the collaborative efforts of the Ottawa Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition and Allegan County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, with support from Arbor Circle, OnPoint, and TalkSooner.org.
Since releasing the virtual room in September 2021, over 3,900 individuals have toured the space. Recent updates to the room include facts about current Ottawa County youth substance use and improvements in navigating the room.
Click here to take the tour.
About OSAP: Ottawa Substance Use Prevention (OSAP) works to create change regarding youth substance use in Ottawa County. OSAP consists of community members, human service professionals, businesses, law enforcement, government officials, schools and school personnel who are working together to create change regarding youth substance use.
About ASAP: Allegan County Substance Use Prevention (ASAP) works to prevent and reduce youth substance use in Allegan County through education. ASAP consists of consists of community members, human service professionals, businesses, law enforcement, government officials, schools and school personnel who are working together to create change regarding youth substance use.
About Arbor Circle: Arbor Circle provides mental health counseling, substance use treatment, family development support, adoption and foster care services, prevention programming and quality child care resources and referral services. The organization is well established in the West Michigan area with deep roots in our community and locations in 5 counties (Kent, Muskegon, Newaygo, Allegan, and Ottawa), and serves thousands of children, adults and families each year. Website: https://arborcircle.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arborcircleorg