‘Hidden in Plain Sight’: Mock-up of teen bedroom teaches parents where to look for drugs

ELKADER - It's a fact of life that many parents are unaware their children are using drugs.

The nonprofit Clayton County Community Collaboration Council has come up with a tool - called 'Hidden in Plain Sight” - to help parents know what to look for.

The program offers adults insight into what youths may be hiding in their rooms by providing a mock-up of a typical teenager's bedroom.

Claudia McCalley, the council's chairwoman, said the idea came from a similar mock-up that she saw at a national meeting of the Community Anti-drug Coalitions of America.

'We thought that we could use something like this here,” she said. 'I pitched the idea to the Clayton County Sheriff's Office, and they thought it was great. We had people donate furniture, and we soon had a real bedroom that we could use for our demonstrations.”

The exhibit allows adults to explore the bedroom. They are given a certain amount of time to list any items that might be drug-related. .

Following the inspection, a presenter discloses everyday items that look harmless but can be used to hide drugs.

After completing the program, participants will be aware of indicators of drug abuse, common methods of concealment and the paraphernalia used in the processing and use of illicit drugs.

They also will learn about law enforcement's efforts and experiences in combating alcohol and drug abuse and about resources for those seeking help and information.

'I believe that we are the only county in northeast Iowa that has this program,” McCalley said.

Sponsors - including the Sheriff's Department, Central Community Hospital, Freedom Bank, Substance Abuse Services for Clayton County, Upper Iowa University, American Family Insurance, Guttenberg Municipal Hospital, Family's Helping Hand and Wayne and Nancy Yelden - donated funds so the council could get a trailer and set up the exhibit anywhere.

'The exhibit is available to come to your community events, organizations or meetings,” McCalley said. 'It's free in Clayton County, but we have also traveled to surrounding counties for a fee.”

Additional information is available at claytoncountyccc.weebly.com or by calling (563) 245-1546.