Hidden in Plain Sight

Melanie Black and Katherine Gutierrez of Drug Free Collier along with Captain Beth Jones, Sgt. Jeff Boyd and Cpl. Alison DiSarro of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office unveil the new traveling exhibit

Walk into an average teenager’s room and you are likely to find a pile of clothes on the floor, scattered school supplies on a desk, and a wide range of personal care products on a vanity. Nothing unusual for most parents who are raising teens, but in some cases, looks can be deceiving.

Critical insights about teen behavior can be found within that clutter.

With this in mind, Drug Free Collier has developed a unique traveling exhibit in collaboration with the Collier County Sheriff ’s Office to alert parents of potential warning signs. “Hidden in Plain Sight” is an interactive display designed to help parents recognize unfamiliar hazards that are often in plain sight. By walking through a simulated bedroom, parents learn to identify objects that could signal potential risky behavior such as substance abuse, violence, eating disorders, and much more.

Participants will have an opportunity to interact with more than 100 items on display and will learn about current trends from local experts.

“As drug trends change, our knowledge about drugs should change too,” said Melanie Black, Executive Director of Drug Free Collier. “Parents will be enlightened by what they learn through this program and will also walk away with important resources to help them safely navigate the teen years,” Black added.

Hidden in Plain Sight is a new campaign that was recently unveiled in Collier County. The traveling exhibit can easily be brought to local parent groups such as PTA, neighborhood associations, businesses, and church or civic organizations, said Black. However, due to the nature of the material being discussed, the exhibit is open to adults only. Reservations to host this innovative program are now being accepted.

“Hidden in Plain Sight was specifically developed with today’s parents in mind,” Black said. “The program is meant to help inform busy parents about emerging trends by offering an important visual reference that they can easily recall,” she added. “Parental involvement is crucial.”

Hidden in Plain Sight is a free, local educational resource made possible thanks to support from the Collier County Sheriff ’s Office; Arthrex; Mothers Against Drunk Driving; North Collier Fire and Rescue; the Community Foundation of Collier County; and St. Matthew’s House. “As a coalition of concerned citizens, we understand that local problems require local solutions,” Black said. “Drug Free Collier is proud to stand with so many strong community partners who are working on those solutions with us.”

To schedule a presentation call 239.377.0535 or email: info@drugfreecollier.org The email should include: the name of school, agency or business making the request; date & time you wish to reserve; and the location of the presentation. The presentation requires a minimum space of 9 feet wide by 10 feet deep to accommodate the makeshift bedroom. Drug Free Collier will provide a hosting packet with more information to help ensure a successful presentation.

Established in 2005, Drug Free Collier is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to unite the community to protect the children of Collier County from substance abuse. For more information, visit www.DrugFreeCollier.org.