In conjunction with the Suffolk County Police Department’s “Operation Medicine Cabinet” program, Shoreham-Wading River High School hosted a “Drugs in our Town, The Ugly Truth” forum for parents, students and members of the community on March 2.

During the program, attendees heard from the Suffolk County Police Department Response Bureau about heroin/opioid awareness, learned about Operation Medicine Cabinet and were informed by a forensic investigator from the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office on the salient side effects of drug abuse.

The program featured a question-and-answer period, as well as training on how to administer Narcan, a prescription medication that can reverse an overdose by blocking the effects of opioids.

“It is imperative that we continue to conduct informational nights like these, while also reinforcing positive decision-making at home and school,” said high school Principal Daniel Holtzman.