A lighter, a sharpie marker, even a baseball cap. These unsuspecting items can be used to hide drugs. This was the message on Tuesday when West Shore-Harrisburg Elks Drug Awareness Committee held its first ever pilot class and demonstration on "How To Search Your Child's Bedroom".
The event was sponsored by the West Shore-Harrisburg Elks Drug Awareness Committee (DAC) and local Law Enforcement. The event was free and open to the public.
Becky Arnold of Dauphin County Probation Services, Juvenile Division, staged a portion of the Elks ballroom to mimic a child's bedroom. Business neighbor, Raymour & Flanigan Furniture supported the event by not only providing the furniture but also moving it into the ballroom.
Becky Arnold demonstrated a bedroom search and educated parents and guests on what to look for, how to search a room and the various types of vessels and places teens use to hide drugs. Arnold also illustrated different types of suspicious behaviors.
Dr. Sarah Kawasaki, Division Director of Addiction Services at Penn State University College of Medicine, also participated in the event and took questions from participants.
The Drug Awareness Committee at West Shore-Harrisburg Elks is chaired by Bill Tauriello, Lodge Esquire. Bill and the committee members see this event as a pilot and hope to expand upon it.
The event was covered by local news teams ABC 27 and CBS 21.
Please see the Press Release and Flyer below.