GYPSUM, Colorado — The Eagle County Sheriff's Office will present a free substance abuse prevention workshop, from notMYkid, in the town of Gypsum. The workshop will take place on from 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday at Gypsum Creek Middle School, located at 401 Grundel Way in Gypsum.

Workshop attendees will learn about drug issues, trends, terminology, see photos of paraphernalia and be given tips on talking to their kids about drugs and establishing a drug prevention plan for their families. A limited number of First Check drug test kits will be available for families to take home with them. The kits check for seven illicit and five prescription drugs.

Kids are susceptible to peer pressure and drug experimentation during the transition years, grades 5-9 and into high school. The average age for first time drug use is 13 years old.

Teens ages 12-17 say that prescription drugs are easier to get than beer. In fact, of those who use or abuse prescription drugs, 65 percent are getting them either from their home or a friend's house, Sheriff's Office officials say. Additionally, 50 percent of teens who come home past 10 p.m. on a school night report marijuana or other drug use occurring according to the 2008 Center for Addiction and Substance Abuse report.

NotMYkid was founded in 2000 and is dedicated to helping parents, teens, educators and communities with adolescent behavioral health issues.

All area parents are invited to attend this program but please note it is not open to students.