The Toms River branch of the Ocean County Library, 101 Washington St., Toms River, will host past U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare (1977-1979) Joseph A. Califano Jr. on March 8 for a seminar about teens and substance abuse.
The first 250 adults who register and attend the program will receive a free copy of his book, “How to Raise a Drug-Free Kid: The Straight Dope for Parents.”
According to Califano, teenagers say drugs and alcohol are the No. 1 problem they face today. He said a parent’s worst nightmare is to find their child getting hooked on alcohol or drugs.
During his presentation, Califano will give parents the tools to prepare their children for that moment of decision when a friend or group offers them a drink, joint, snort or pill to get high.
He also encourages parents to be honest with their children and acknowledge that adult behavior and attitude helps shape a child’s behavior.
Sign-in for the program will start at 5:30 p.m. and the program will begin promptly at 6 p.m. Adults will meet with Califano in Mancini Hall, and a “teens only” session will be held in the Hometown Dairy room.
This program is free and open to the public. For more information or to register for the presentation, go to the library website www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call the operator at 732-349-6200 or 609-971- 0514.
Califano is the founder and chairman of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, New York. He is a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences and currently serves on the boards of profit and nonprofit organizations. He has written 12 books.
Ocean County Library is a registered New Jersey Department of Education Professional Development Provider. Professional development certificates will be provided.
Califano’s program is part of the “Tools for Teens and Adults” series and is presented in partnership with the Ocean County Board of Freeholders, the Ocean County Youth Service Commission, the Ocean County Health Department, the Superior Court of New Jersey, Ocean County Probation-Juvenile Supervision, the Ocean County Library, the Municipal Alliance Project, and the New Jersey Governors Council on Alcoholism.