By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
The Department of Social Services will hold its community roundtable at 3 p.m. Jan. 29 in the Stanback Room of the Rowan Public Library. The event is open to the public.
The topic for the roundtable is “Abuse of Prescription Drug Medications.”
Social Services Director Sandra Wilkes said the general theme is child well-being, but more specifically the gathering will focus on teens and prescription drug abuse.
Guest speaker is Detective Ernest Kirchin of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department. Kirchin is the vice president of the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators of the Carolinas.
The event is co-sponsored by the Board of Social Services and the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.
“The Community Child Protection Team identified this issue of teen abuse of prescription medications as a concern. They asked Social Services to take the lead in bringing this issue to the public, work toward an opportunity to educate the public and identify ways that might decrease the problem,” Wilkes said.
She said they will send out fliers and post a notice on Cable Access Channel 16. They are also getting the word out to other community organizations, the Rowan-Salisbury School System, area medical providers, teachers, guidance counselors and parents.
Last year’s roundtable discussion was on the dangers of co-sleeping with infants.