AUBURN – Healthy Androscoggin collaborated with the Auburn Police Department to offer Drug Impairment Training for Educational Professionals on Jan. 21 and 22. The training is intended to make participants competent and confident in evaluating and documenting individuals suspected of abusing drugs in the school setting.

The training was facilitated by Scott Corey, Auburn PD; Don Finnegan, Rockland PD; Bob Libby, South Portland PD; Terrence McCormick, Auburn PD; and Barry Schmieks, Auburn PD. Participants were from schools in Androscoggin County, Old Orchard Beach, Thorndike, Waldoboro and Topsham.

Participants learned how to identify different types of drugs, how they affect the body and how to identify the physiological signs of someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Healthy Androscoggin hopes the training will lead to earlier intervention and treatment of a youth with a possible addiction.

Healthy Androscoggin and the Auburn PD plan to offer the training this fall.

The first day of training is for those that interact with students, from bus drivers to high level administrators. The second day is best suited for those who will conduct the evaluations, such as school nurses and school resource officers.

Information about future training will be advertised through Androscoggin County schools and on Healthy Androscoggin’s Web site, www.healthyandroscoggin.org.