Positive Directions will present its 11th Annual Risky Behavior Forum ‘Michael F. Nerney: Alcohol and the Teenage Brain’ on Monday, October 20th at 7:30 pm at Bedford Middle School, 88 North Avenue in Westport, CT.  Admission is free.  To reserve tickets please call Positive Directions at 203-227-7644 ext 124.  The Forum is presented in collaboration with Westport’s Positive Youth Development, Wilton Youth Services Dept. and Weston’s Alcohol & Drug Awareness Program (ADAP).
          Michael Nerney, an internationally known lecturer, is a consultant with more than 26 years of experience in the field of Substance Abuse Prevention and Education.  As a former director of the Training Institute of Narcotic and Drug Research, Inc. (NDRI), Nerney was responsible for management of statewide training for substance abuse treatment and prevention professionals.  Nerney has served as consultant to a number of federal and state agencies and is a consultant for two of the major television networks.  He most recently appeared on the ABC program “20/20”. 
          “We are very excited to have this opportunity to present Michael Nerney to our community. His depth of knowledge on brain development and the latest research on how alcohol effects the developing teenage brain is unparalleled. The physical and neurological impact of adolescent alcohol usage is a topic parents will want to be informed about,” commented Marty Hauhuth, Executive Director of Positive Directions..
          The Risky Behavior Forum is a program of Positive Directions.  Positive Directions, located in Westport, is a non-profit organization which supports individuals, families and communities throughout Fairfield County by providing prevention programs and treatment services for adolescents and families.
          This year’s Forum is made possible by the State of Connecticut’s Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, (DMHAS) which established the Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant (SPF SIG) to increase community awareness and to strengthen prevention programs targeting underage drinking.
          The Westport, Weston, Wilton SPF SIG coalition is comprised of representatives from Weston, Westport and Wilton Youth Services; Weston, Westport, and Wilton Social Services; Westport’s local prevention agency – Positive Youth Development; Wilton’s local prevention agency – Vision 2020 and the Taskforce to Reduce Underage Drinking; Weston’s local prevention agency - Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program (ADAP).  Positive Directions is the lead agency providing professional services to the SPF-SIG coalition.