Parent Connection, a group founded by local parents in 1993 to address teen substance abuse, is in the process of reuniting to reestablish a series of upcoming drug prevention programs for students and their families.

“Drugs are very prevalent in Newtown,” said Dorrie Carolan, a mother of three who lost a son four years ago to prescription drug abuse. “They’re all good kids who get caught up in this disease, and it becomes uncontrollable.” Ms Carolan said that she and Donna DeLuca, the former principal of St Rose School, have been contacting local counselors and interested community members to reestablish the group. “We’ve talked to at least 100 people so far,” said Ms Carolan.

“Everyone — from adults with no children to parents with kids from elementary school age through high school — has been interested.” Ms Carolan plans to hold a forum in September as well as weekly meetings to increase community awareness about the issue in the future.

Currently, the Group of Hope and Support, a weekly assembly for parents with children suffering from substance abuse, meets Mondays from 7:30 to 9:30 pm at Newtown Youth Services. In addition, a local chapter of Al-Anon/Alateen for families and friends of alcoholics meets Tuesdays from 7 to 8 pm at St Rose Education Center. For more information, contact Ms Carolan at 426-8591 or 426-6424, or Ms DeLuca at 426-9280.