Oxford Hills families with teens join the program by pledging to reduce teen substance abuse.

NORWAY – More than 50 Oxford Hills families with teens have initially signed up as participants in a new program called SafeHomes.

In doing so they have signed a five-part pledge to help reduce teen substance abuse and have been included in a directory circulated to all participants.

Participating parents also receive useful information about substance abuse avoidance strategies in their own home, as well as upcoming networking opportunities with parents of friends of their teens.

SafeHomes Parents pledge to provide adult supervision for all children visiting their home, not allow parties or gatherings in their homes while they are not there, not serve minors nor allow youth under the legal drinking age to consume alcohol or other drugs in their homes or on their property, wish for communication with any parent who personally observes their child using alcohol or other drugs, communicate with a SafeHomes parent of a child they personally observe using alcohol or other drugs.

Both Oxford Hills Comprehensive HS and Oxford Hills Middle School are working closely with the local SafeHomes coordinator, The Child Health Center of Norway, to distribute descriptive brochures to parents and encourage their participation. Several educational parent nights at both schools are being planned for the school year.

Recruitment is ongoing with a goal of 100 families for this fall. According to the Child Health Center’s Youth Development director, Preston Jump, brochures are available at the schools and the Child Health Center offices.

Middle School Principal Hal Small says, “I see this program really helping with parental concerns about their teens.” SafeHomes is offered to families in Maine communities as a free service of The Child Health Center and Day One Prevention Services of Portland.

To obtain more information, parents of Oxford Hills teens are encouraged to contact their school office or the Child Health Center at 743-0222 or send e-mail to [email protected].