Page 86 - August 2015 Life In Naples Magazine

HIDDEN IN

PLAIN SIGHT

A traveling exhibit designed to help parents recognize potential warning signs

W alk into an average teenager’s room and you program are now being A TraHveIliDnLOgDEOxEKhiSNbiCt A&INNPrBoPgErLaDAmEICNEIVSINIGGHT
are likely to find a pile of clothes on the accepted.
floor, scattered school supplies on a desk,
and a wide range of personal care products “Hidden in Plain
on a vanity. Nothing unusual for most parents who are Sight was specifically
raising teens, but in some cases, looks can be deceiving.
Critical insights about teen behavior can be found developed with today’s
within that clutter.
parents in mind,” Black
With this in mind, Drug Free Collier has developed
a unique traveling exhibit in collaboration with the said. “The program is
Collier County Sheriff ’s Office to alert parents of
potential warning signs. “Hidden in Plain Sight” is an meant to help inform
interactive display designed to help parents recognize
unfamiliar hazards that are often in plain sight. By busy parents about
walking through a simulated bedroom, parents learn to
identify objects that could signal potential risky behavior emerging trends by
such as substance abuse, violence, eating disorders, and
much more. Participants will have an opportunity to offering an important

interact with more than 100 items on display and will visual reference that osiWnfimuatHcnienotufrhdnilaaadcmmcpteterdiiorodlvnirgaeee.trreeanthexmhanheIzaidnbangeri1etds,rPis0g’lsotnl0chbaeaaedlitdinettaroxoerpeoShmemeoirlftgptsasehnpgniduantiricnedelxueinpspdtlpalaseaaiodtinrnrfeaisnantviegrteteeshhlianttni.sshsgrroeeuxchoghigbnaitize
learn about current trends from local experts.
they can easily recall,” cToontRaecAstDeDUrrvLTueSgTOFhNreiLsYe!ECxohlilbieirt
“As drug trends change, our knowledge about drugs
should change too,” said Melanie Black, Executive she added. “Parental
Director of Drug Free Collier. “Parents will be
enlightened by what they learn through this program involvement is
and will also walk away with important resources to help
them safely navigate the teen years,” Black added. crucial.”

Hidden in Plain Sight is a new campaign that was Hidden in Plain
recently unveiled in Collier County.The traveling exhibit
can easily be brought to local parent groups such as Sight is a free, PPh.Oon.eB: o(2x397)7303D77R-50U953G5•FINRNFEAOEP@LCDEORSUL,GLFFILEROERERCIODLALIE3R4.O1R0G7 www.DrugFreeCollier.org
PTA, neighborhood associations, businesses, and church local educational
or civic organizations, said Black. However, due to the resource made
nature of the material being discussed, the exhibit is possible thanks
open to adults only. Reservations to host this innovative
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.

Photo: 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.

86 Life in Naples | August • September • October 2015