The Pottsville Area Tide Task Force is inviting the public to learn about the harsh realities of drug addiction in a special event April 24.
The organization, formed in 2010, will hold its first "Panel Discussion," including testimony from a local recovered drug addict, Tim Rader, District Attorney Karen Noon and other officials, according to Dr. Jeffrey S. Zwiebel, district superintendent.
It will be held at 6 p.m. at the auditorium at Pottsville Area D.H.H. Lengel Middle School.
"Events like this help raise awareness and let people know there are resources available and that there are steps they can take to not only protect their children but help them in the event that they do get themselves in a bad situation," Diane Rowland, prevention services coordinator for Schuylkill County Drug and Alcohol Program, Pottsville, said Tuesday.
Rowland will be among the community leaders on the panel. It will also include: Noon; William J. Rowan, director of the Schuylkill Health Counseling Center; Joseph H. Murton V, Pottsville chief of police; Rader; Eric Zendrosky, a drug addiction survivor from the Ashland area; and Tara Zendrosky, mother of Eric.
Zwiebel will serve as the event moderator.
"This event is open to all students and families in the county. We hope that you will support this county-wide initiative," Zwiebel said Tuesday.
In particular, Zwiebel encouraged students in grades 7 to 12 and their parents to attend.
The guest speaker, Rader, is a native of the Ashland area who is now of Dauphin County. No stranger to Pottsville Area, Rader spoke to students in the high school on Dec. 15 and students in the middle school on Dec. 16, Zwiebel said.
Rader could not be reached for comment this week. Information about his presentation can be found online at timrader.org.
"I've never heard him speak, but I've heard so many good things about him. I've heard from other school districts who have had him and they say he's phenomenal," Rowland said Tuesday.
Schuylkill County Drug and Alcohol Commission is planning to contribute funds to the project, but an amount has not been confirmed, Rowland said.
The Tide Task Force was formed in fall 2010. Events it has taken part in include the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration National Prescription Drug Take Back Day events in September 2010 and April 2011.
In October 2011, the state Liquor Control Board awarded 77 organizations throughout the state more than $1 million through the board's 2011-12 Alcohol Education Grant program. Of that, the Tide Task Force received $14,000.
It was the first grant Pottsville Area's drug and alcohol commission had received and Zwiebel said it's helping the task force launch a marketing campaign, allowing the task force to emblazon anti-drug messages on banners, bumper stickers, magnets and other items.
The task force plans its second annual picnic at Barefield Development Outdoor Recreation Complex at 823 Terry Reiley Way. It will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. June 6. And students who will be in grades 7 through 12 in September are invited, Zwiebel said.
The task force is also looking to host a future volleyball tournament, Zwiebel said.
Anyone with questions can contact the task force at tidetaskforce@pottsville.k12.pa.us.