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Signs, symptoms of drug use

BANGOR – Lt. Thomas Reagan of the Bangor Police Department will conduct a seminar for parents on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of drug use in teens, 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2, at Bangor High School.

According to a National Institute of Drug Abuse study, 54 percent of high school seniors have used an illicit drug at least once. The 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that 10.2 million persons age 12 or older have driven under the influence of an illicit drug in the past year. Acknowledging these statistics, organizers said it was important that parents learn the signs of drug abuse in order to have the tools and strategies to intervene.

Parents of teens are encouraged to attend the presentation and members of the general public also are welcome.

For information, call the Bangor High School assistant superintendent’s office at 992-4167.

Volunteers for Warm Line

BANGOR – The Community Health and Counseling Services Warm Line offers volunteers the chance to give back to their community, and to help a neighbor in a time of need.

The Warm Line is a part-time, free and confidential noncrisis telephone line designed to serve persons with mental illness and their families in Penobscot, Piscataquis Washington and Hancock counties.

It is staffed by volunteers who share several common denominators – sense of empathy, ability to be nonjudgmental and good listening skills.

Volunteers are being sought to expand the Warm Line’s hours of operation. Extensive training and ongoing support is provided in such topics as major mental illness, attitudes toward mental illness, how to deal with difficult calls, risk factors, listening skills, telephone skills and agency policies and expectations.

For information about volunteering for the Warm Line, call Maureen Walsh at 947-0366 or 800-924-0366, Ext. 214, and leave a message. You will receive an application and be scheduled for an interview.

Annual kitchen tour

BANGOR – The Eastern Maine Medical Center Auxiliary will showcase some of the area’s most beautiful and interesting kitchens in its third annual Kitchen Tour, noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20. The event features different homes every year and has attracted as many as 500 guests who travel from home to home to view the kitchens and taste the delicacies of some of the area’s notable caterers, including Opus, ButterCup Catering and Bangor Wine and Cheese.

Six kitchens are featured this year, including the kitchen in the new home of Bion and Dorain Foster in Hampden and that of William and Sally Arata in Veazie.

Kitchen Tour tickets are $20 each and available at Rebecca’s, Grasshopper Shop, Patrick’s Hallmark on Broadway, Airline Pharmacy, Westgate Pharmacy, Schacht’s Hardware in Hampden, Winterport Winery, EMMC’s Gift Shop, Cianchette and Webber Buildings. Proceeds benefit CancerCare of Maine at Eastern Maine Medical Center.

Mitochondrial disease

National Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week is being observed Sept. 16-22.

Mitochondrial disease is progressive and characteristically affects multiple organs. Infants, children and adults die as a result of mitochondrial disease. While today there is no cure for mitochondrial disease, vitamin and supplement therapies may help slow symptoms such as muscle weakness, vision and hearing loss, and cardiac or liver failure.

Mitochondrial disease affects babies, children and adults of all ages, races and gender. One in 4,000 individuals will develop mitochondrial disease by age 10; however, the disease may be under-diagnosed until improvements in diagnosis and awareness occur. Additionally, mitochondrial dysfunction has been related to diseases of aging, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

The public is invited to join MitoAction in its mission to educate and raise awareness of this disabling and progressive metabolic disease by wearing a green awareness ribbon.

Internationally, families and friends planned to “Light a Light for Mito” at 10 a.m. Sept. 19 as they celebrated and supported all who are afflicted by mitochondrial disease and remembered the infants, children and adults who have lost their battle to the disease.

MitoAction is a 501(c)3 charity formally incorporated in 2005 to provide programs and resources centered on support, education and advocacy for patients and families affected by mitochondrial disease. Learn more, show support and request a green awareness ribbon at www.MitoAction.org.

Parenting support program

BANGOR – Penobscot Community Health Care announced the recent award of a two-year grant of $8,000 from the Maine Children’s Trust to fund an innovative parenting training program.

The Incredible Years will help parents gain the knowledge and tools to promote positive social skills and behavior from their children. Parents will learn how to prevent serious problems from developing, and will gain skills to reduce unacceptable behavior. The sessions will be modeled on the program developed by Dr. Carolyn Webster-Stratton, professor and director of the Parenting Clinic at the University of Washington.

Dr. Ana Rojas, PCHC child and adolescent psychiatrist, will serve as the principal investigator on this project. Questions about the program and how to participate may be directed to PCHC by telephoning 945-5247, Ext. 129. The first classes are scheduled to begin later in September.

Chronic disease workshop

ORONO – Rosscare will offer “Living Well: Chronic Disease Self Management” on Tuesdays, Sept. 25-Oct. 20, at Dirgo Pines Inn. The six-week workshop is for those learning to cope with chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, asthma, emphysema, obesity, depression and long-term health conditions.

By taking part in the 21/2-hour weekly workshop, participants will learn ways to cope with and manage health by setting achievable goals, finding support and solutions to problems, making daily tasks easier, learning relaxation and stress management, and learning how to work in partnership with a health care team.

The workshop is geared toward those age 18 and older with a chronic health condition. A family member, friend or caregiver also may attend.

The registration fee is $24. Scholarships and transportation are available. To register or to receive information, call Cynthia Smith at 973-7094 or e-mail csmith@emh.org.

Relay for Life meeting

BANGOR – The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Old Town planning committee will hold a meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, at All Souls Congregational Church, 10 Broadway.

The meeting is being held to share with residents the importance of Relay For Life, in saving lives. Relay For Life is the signature event of the American Cancer Society.

It is a fun-filled, overnight event that mobilizes communities throughout the country to celebrate survivors – anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer – remember loved ones and raise money for the fight against cancer.

Teams of eight to 15 members gather with tents and sleeping bags to join more than 4,500 communities nationwide that sponsor relays. Relay For Life brings together friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools and churches. Teams seek sponsorship beforehand.

Volunteers are needed to organize and recruit teams, seek community support, coordinate logistics, find refreshments and prizes, plan entertainment and lend their support. To learn more about becoming a volunteer on the Relay For Life planning committee, or to obtain information about cancer, call the American Cancer Society at 800-227-2345, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or visit www.cancer.org.