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NOC successfully implemented its first Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program on December 3, 2008 in the Brandon Roads Neighborhood in Bluffton.  This program was designed by Pastor Paul Hamilton, NOC Board member, and Wade Bishop, Director, Beaufort County Department of Social Services.  The workshop team also included Luis Bell, NOC Board member. 

Dr. Narendra Sharma, NOC Chair, opened the workshop and explained NOC's mission and programs to the participants. The workshop generated lively discussions.  Summarized below are the highlights of the workshop.

• An overview was given to the participants explaining the growing problems of drug and alcohol use in Hilton Head Island and Greater Bluffton.
• Participants were given a list of commonly used drugs, including their street names.  Information was given on symptoms and health effects.
• Special emphasis was given to signs of alcohol and drug use among teenagers as well as adults.
• The discussion outlined tips for parents to detect alcohol and drug abuse.
• Participants agreed that the neighborhood community needs to engage proactively to tackle this serious problem, which often leads to other social problems, including domestic violence, child abuse, and loss of  jobs.
  

Several participants asked for training to combat this problem.

On March 25th Pastor Paul Hamilton, Pastor of Bible Missionary Baptist Church in Bluffton, and Chaplain at Bluffton Public Safety Commission, brought his program of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention in the new Program Center.  It is a most welcome addition to the Center's offerings.