Throughout March, Lincoln County’s CASA (Communities Against Substance Abuse) sponsored three series of trainings on the signs and symptoms of drug impairment. The unique training, entitled “Is My Kid High?” was developed and presented by Dep. Mark Bridgham, LCSO and School Resource Officer at Lincoln Academy. It comprised three classes, each devoted to specific categories of drugs.

The series of classes were held on separate evenings for three weeks in Boothbay Harbor at the Boothbay Region YMCA, in Newcastle at Lincoln Academy and in Waldoboro at the Fire Department conference room. Attendees at each community site, teachers, counselors and parents, learned the signs of impairment which distinguish use of one drug from another.

While there may be some similar symptoms in drug impairment, each drug and category has specific signs to look for. Dep. Bridgham reminded participants that, though the training does not prepare them to become certified Drug Recognition Experts, it does give them hands-on recognition tools when encountering signs of impairment. Those completing all three classes were awarded certificates to receive their professional contact credit hours.

The series of trainings were proposed by Healthy Lincoln County to receive funding for the federal Partnership for Success grant, provided through the State of Maine Department of Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services (SAMHS). PFSII funding was received by Health Maine Partnerships who proposed programs which enhanced their work in the areas of marijuana, prescription drug and alcohol abuse prevention.

With the success of the recent trainings, Healthy Lincoln County CASA coalition is planning to continue offering the signs and symptoms course in other county locations, available for parents health professionals, EMTS, caregivers, teachers and counselors. Additionally, they plan to offer follow-up workshops and materials for those who have now completed “Is My Kid High?”

For more information about the Signs & Symptoms trainings with Dep. Bridgham, or to receive information about CASA (Communities Against Substance Abuse) and its programs, contact Joyce Steel at Healthy Lincoln County: 207-563-6123 or casa@healthylincolncounty.org/.