"Wake Up Call" Exhibit Shows Parents Overlooked Signs of Substance Abuse

"Throughout exhibit we have over 50 warning signs that they may be using drugs," said Katie Morrow, an educator with Your Choice.

Your Choice helped put together an educational opportunity for parents wanting to know more about teen drug use. The exhibit in Hartland shows parents warning signs of
drug or alcohol use that are easy to miss.

The exhibit is called "Wake Up Call." It has been so popular, the public tours have been extended. 

New hours for "Wake Up Call" are:
April 27, 4-7 p.m.
April 28, 10-2 p.m.
April 29, 10-2 p.m.

A release for the exhibit says:

"A life-size exhibit of a teen's bedroom (male or female) with more than 20 "red flags" that can signal drug or alcohol use. The bedroom identifies spots where teens
may hide drugs, household items that can be used as drug paraphernalia and ways teens cover up drug and alcohol use. Our goal is to educate parents and other adults
who are influential in the lives of youth so they know what seemingly innocent items can actually be an indication of substance abuse."

The exhibit is a partnership between Your Choice, Oconomowoc Area Foundation, Rosecrance, Drug Free Communities Waukesha County, Parent Resource Network, Friends of
Nashotah Inc, Oconomowoc Parent Education Network, and Stairway to Heroin.

If parents do find any red flags in their child's room, Morrow says the tour also educates them about the next step.

"Our first piece of advice is to not panic, and to use it as a conversational tool. Just ask them... Give them an opportunity to explain it, but now that you have that
knowledge, you can say, 'hey, it might mean this,'" said Morrow.

For more information on the exhibit, visit www.yourchoice-life.org