In efforts to bring attention to the dangers of substance abuse, the school has invited its present and future students to the annual Freshman Forum at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 2, in the auditorium.

“[The forum] started because we have, over the years, had such an increase in substance and alcohol abuse,” Jennifer Ondek, a freshman counselor, said. “We wanted to have an opportunity for people to come and educate our youth, especially our freshman students.”

Much like previous years, the forum — titled “Danbury Youth Matter: Understanding Drugs, Stress, and the Law — will include a panel of speakers who have had personal experiences with drug and alcohol abuse, including a doctor from Yale, a parent, a therapist, and a student.

Apart from trying to reach students, the organizers encourage parents to attend the forum. Silvia Borges-Bostic explains: “[The speakers] will be coming to talk about stress reduction and things to do with your children, as a parent, in order to reduce stress.”

New research on the brain has discovered that stress has similar effects to addictive drugs. Additionally, stress resulting from school-related activities is directly linked to a higher risk of drug and alcohol abuse.

A new addition to this year’s panel is a student who attends DHS. “[The student] will be talking about stressors and why kids get involved in drugs to begin with,” Borges-Bostic continued.

Alongside the forum, there will also be a club and class fair. Although incentives are encouraging freshmen to attend in order to win a pizza party, the organizers welcome all.

Dr. Diana Galletta-Bruno, school psychologist, verifies, “Anyone can come and all are welcome; however, the incentives are for freshmen only.”