NORWICH – Illicit drug use among adolescents is on the rise, according to recent surveys conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. And in many instances, it’s giving school professionals more to worry about than reading, writing and arithmetic.

To help combat this growing epidemic, the Chenango County Stop DWI and Youth Bureau program is offering area educators a free Drug Impairment Training for Education Professionals (DITEP) workshop that will make teachers, nurses and other school professionals competent and confident in identifying drug use among adolescents.

The 16-hour training seminar will be spread over the course of two days – eight hours on Thursday, Oct. 17, and another eight hours Friday, Oct. 18. While originally scheduled to be held in the conference and training room at the Chenango County Office Building in Norwich, the number of participants already signed up for the program may force coordinators to move it to a larger location, yet to be announced.

Although DITEP training is not intended to make participants drug recognition experts, Stop DWI Coordinator and County Youth Bureau Director Kathy Clemens says it will give educators an edge in helping young people overcome potentially dangerous addictions.