Kids Speak Out

To the Editor:

On Wednesday, January 20, the Newtown Parent Connection held their Kids Speak Out forum. We were awed and humbled by the courage of the five young men and women who engaged in a very candid dialogue regarding their respective journeys growing up in Newtown and surrounding areas. They offered personal accounts of their temptations and how some of them have been successful in remaining substance-free. Others shared quite frankly how they succumbed to the slippery slope of addiction, where it led them, and how they are faring today.

Those who were fortunate enough to attend heard first-hand how insidious the disease of addiction is and the devastation it can cause in a family. Most impressive was how bravely and eloquently the young people spoke and how important their honesty was in helping to bring this topic out from under a shroud of embarrassment and shame. Their openness, humility and gratitude is something that all in the community can be proud of — we certainly were.

Thank you to all who spoke and all who participated in this very poignant program.

Join us on March 20 for Parent University at Newtown Middle School!

With much appreciation,

Dorrie Carolan

and the Newtown Parent Connection

Board of Directors

PO Box 186, Newtown                                              February 10, 2010