The Courage to Speak Tonight in Colchester
by Ryan Blessing
Ginger Katz, CEO and Founder of The Courage To Speak Foundation. Inc., will be giving the Courage to Speak Presentation, a dynamic, riveting and thought-provoking drug prevention presentation, at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, at Bacon Academy.
Katz, who lost her son to a drug overdose in 1996, has made over 1000 drug prevention education presentations throughout the country that have touched the hearts and minds of thousands of students, parents, law enforcement professionals, educators and prevention specialists. Katz’s presentation combines prevention facts with her family’s experience to help participants learn about the code of silence and denial surrounding substance abuse and drug-related violence. Other topics include that it is OK to ask adults for help, how to recognize risky behaviors and relationships and how important it is for students and parents to talk together openly and honestly about the dangers of drugs including alcohol.
Katz is also the author of Sunny’s Story—a compelling read for children, teenagers, parents, grandparents and teachers. Sunny’s Story tells the story of joyful and sad times, and how a dog’s best friend was needlessly lost. Through this universal story of love, compassion, caring and understanding, Ms. Katz has brought new life to her message of empowering youth to be drug free. The family dog and narrator, Sunny, is a keen and intelligent observer of damage done by alcohol and other drug use to his master, Ian. He tells a heart-warming, but tragic story that will make readers, young and old, think twice about choices being made every day.
The Courage to Speak Foundation has developed curricula for elementary, middle and high school students, together with a new 5-session parenting course called Courageous Parenting 101. The organization has trained more than 80 facilitators to teach the course within the state of CT and beyond. The course covers: Teen drug use trends and party culture; Drug and alcohol abuse, addiction and its physiological consequences; Protective, psychological and developmental guidance to help reduce the risk of substance use; Dangers of enabling and hands-off parenting; Communication and listening strategies; How to help your child handle stress; Warning signs; The power of denial; Practical steps if use or abuse is suspected; Parenting styles; Sources of help and more.
For more information about the Courage to Speak Foundation visit www.couragetospeak.org.
