Staff Writer
This year will mark the fourth annual Apex High School Substance Abuse Night. The meeting is aimed to educate Apex High parents and students about the risks and prevention of adolescent substance abuse. When asked of the original reason behind Substance Abuse Night, Michelle Pittelli, the coordinator of Substance Abuse Night, states the meeting was originally aimed to address the tragic incidents involving Apex High students because of substance abuse. Pittelli adds to the reasoning behind Substance Abuse Night, “I don’t think parents know how much you [students] know and how much you’re exposed to [drugs and alcohol] it.” Substance Abuse Night will provide parents and students with information on the risks and the preventative measures parents can take with substance abuse. Two professionals, Scott Seguin and Van T. Langeland, both specializing in adolescent substance abuse will speak and answer questions. Pittelli adds, “They [Seguin and Langeland] sit on the panel along with parents and a former student, talk about resources and then answer questions.” Originally, Substance Abuse Night was a parents-only event. However, the coordinators in charge of Substance Abuse Night have currently decided to open up the meeting to Apex High students. Pittelli adds, “We [the committee in charge of Substance Abuse Night] are going to allow students to come this year as that was the feedback we had from parents that they wish their child could have been there to hear it.”
