Lahainaluna High School this week will host a presentation by Michael DeLeon of Steered Straight Inc.

The expert on vaping and current youth drug trends will lead a Parent Academy in the Lahainaluna Cafe on Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Parents may want to hear from DeLeon, who is the top-booked school presenter in America. Last year, he spoke at 616 schools in 40 states.

Important topics he will cover include the “Prescription Drug Abuse Epidemic,” dramatic increases in heroin use and even the groundswell to legalize marijuana for recreational use.

DeLeon will also discuss changing trends with synthetic drugs, e-cigarettes, vaping and alcohol.

Parents can benefit from learning the signs and symptoms to watch for, and how to effectively speak with their children.

According to Steered Straight, “In today’s substance abuse pandemic, the worst public social health crisis America has ever seen, the threat to our youth is greater than ever, and the chasm between what parents needed to know in the ’80s and the current trends necessary to understand now, the importance of parental education and awareness can’t be overestimated. It is vital!

“The threats to youth years ago have changed, and the terminology you thought you understood needs new understanding. What are the conversations you need to have? Where does connection fit in with this digital world?”

Attend the seminar to learn how to better prevent drug and alcohol use from affecting your children. For more information, call Pakalana Phillips at 662-4000.