Missouri
Missouri non-profit helps parents spot signs of possible substance use in kids
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/QUMFBW2MJNDKVB3R4LPNGKLORE.jpg "Missouri non-profit helps parents spot signs of possible substance use in kids")
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) – “Hidden in Plain Sight.” That’s how one Missouri non-profit describes the warning signs of drug use in teens.
Erin Johnston is the executive director of “Addiction Is Real”, a non-profit out of St. Louis. Johnston said that the purpose of their non-profit is to help parents protect their children from drugs.
”We’ve been around for several years, and exist only to educate adults who have children in their lives about how to speak to them on substance use,“ said Johnston.
That’s the goal of her Hidden in Plain Sight interactive exhibit and presentation.
“We have a teen bedroom to show parents and adults what they should be looking for, what is a warning sign that should act on as soon as possible,” said Johnston.
Cape County Public Health Educator, Stacy Skidmore, said that kids that use drugs can hide them in various places, including those hidden in plain sight.
“Their backpacks with hidden compartments, there’s also hoodies that kids can hide their vape pens in, there’s also books, containers like Coke cans that kids can hide things in, “ said Skidmore. “You think it’s a harmless thing because you’re not educated and don’t realize.”
Volunteers with Addiction Is Real worked with the Cape County Public Health Center to bring the exhibit to the Osage Center in Cape Girardeau. Skidmore said programs like this help with drug prevention.
“I’m hoping that they learn the new drug trends so that they will be able to more easily spot things that may be going on with their child and get their child some help before it becomes an issue, ” said Skidmore.
Alan Pendergrass is a Court Appointed Special Advocate for kids in foster care. He said it’s important to have discussions with children about topics such as this.
“We need to, ya know, work with kids to make sure that they understand that there’s real consequences to doing drugs,” said Pendergrass.
Pendergrass also said he attends events like this to be proactive rather than reactive.
“Some of my CASA kids are 16, 15, 13 you know around those ages I have two different cases, and I just think it is good information to know in case something like this were to come up,” said Pendergrass.
“This is so important right now because we have kids dying all over the place. And it’s never been more important to tell your kids not to take drugs,” said Johnston.
For more information on Hidden in Plain Sight and Addiction Is Real, you can visit their website.
Copyright 2023 KFVS. All rights reserved.
Missouri
Justin Bensley selected as December 2024 Missouri Department of Natural Resources Team Member of the Month
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JAN. 8, 2025 – Justin Bensley, an archeologist with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Missouri State Parks, has been selected as the department’s Team Member of the Month for December 2024. He was selected for his service to the department and his efforts while reviewing cultural resource impacts related to projects funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
In January 2024, Bensley’s section learned of approximately 20 American Rescue Plan Act projects that needed to be reviewed for cultural resource impacts. Most of the projects were for water and wastewater improvements, so each one also need an architectural survey. All of the projects had to be reviewed and any issues resolved so they could go out for bid by the end of the fiscal year, which was June 30, 2024.
“Justin turned out to be a miracle worker,” said Kim Dillon, a natural resources manager who nominated Bensley for the award. “His work resulted in most of the projects being reviewed, modified and approved just before the end of the fiscal year.”
Due to a vacancy, Bensley was the only staff archeologist at the time, so he was tasked with evaluating each of these projects on his own or with archeological contractors on the larger jobs. In addition, he had to consult with the Osage Nation Tribal Historic Preservation Office on the projects, which was a new process. Completing the reviews required Bensley to coordinate between each facility, archeological contractors, planners and the Missouri Office of Administration while also holding many meetings, making countless phone calls and preparing numerous documents.
“I honestly don’t know how he did it, but we are so thankful that he did,” said Dillon.
Bensley joined the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in March 2021 and resides in Columbia.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Tyem Freeman had 18 points in UIC’s 80-63 win over Missouri State on Tuesday night.
Freeman also had five rebounds for the Flames (11-5, 3-2 Missouri Valley Conference). Filip Skobalj shot 6 for 6, including 5 for 5 from beyond the arc to add 17 points. Ahmad Henderson II had 12 points and shot 5 for 8, including 2 for 4 from beyond the arc.
The Bears (7-9, 0-5) were led in scoring by Zaxton King, who finished with 17 points. Missouri State also got 10 points from Michael Osei-Bonsu.
Freeman led UIC in scoring with eight points in the first half to help put the Flames up 36-27 at the break. Skobalj scored a team-high 14 points after the break.
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