Current News
Local anti-drug crusader Katz to appear on O'Reilly Factor
By LESLIE LAKE
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Ginger Katz and Bill O'Reilly after her interview
NORWALK -- Viewers of the Fox News Channel O'Reilly Factor will see a familiar face on Friday night May 3rd at 8pm and 11pm as local anti-drug crusader Ginger Katz will join Bill O'Reilly to address the topic of reducing sentencing guidelines for drug dealers.
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Mother whose son died from drug overdose shares heart-rending story: Her book relates boy's tale through eyes of the family dog
By Andrea Bulfinch
abulfinch@fosters.com
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Courtesy photo Ginger Katz talks to seventh- and eighth-grade
Dover Middle School students on Monday about the death of
her 16-year-old son, Ian, from a drug overdose. She shares his
story in a book titled "Sunny's Story," which tells Ian's story
as seen through the eyes of the family dog.
DOVER — If one student can be saved from a fatal drug overdose, the work and time put into sharing her son's story will have been worth it for Ginger Katz, author of “Sunny's Story.”
The book tells the tale of her son Ian's death due to a drug overdose through the eyes of the family beagle. Dover Middle School students have each read the book and on Monday, heard from Katz herself as she spoke during two assemblies at the school with her husband Larry Katz, Ian's stepfather.
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Woman who lost son to drugs to tell Ian's Story
By Andrea Bulfinch
abulfinch@fosters.com
Saturday, April 6, 2013
DOVER — The story of Sunny the Beagle, a tragic tale of how a canine’s best friend was needlessly lost to drugs, will be told by “Sunny’s Story” author, Ginger Katz, to students at Dover Middle School Monday.
The story is inspired by the author’s son Ian’s losing battle with drugs.
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Giving people the Courage to Speak in Westford
By Joyce Pellino
Crane GateHouse News Service
March 30, 2013
Ginger Katz founded the Courage to Speak in 1996, just months after her 20-year-old son Ian James Eaccarino died of an accidental drug overdose. Katz is speaking at the Stony Brook Middle School, 9 Farmer Way, Tuesday, April 2 at 7 p.m. The Courage To Speak Foundation develops drug prevention curricula for elementary, middle and high school students as well as for parents through Courage to Speak -- Courageous Parenting 101. Katz speaks to parents and students of all ages. More information can be found at couragetospeak.org. The event is sponsored by Lowell General Hospital and the Westford Parent Connection.
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Families Empowered by Having the Courage to Speak®
By Andrew Brophy
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Andrea Mandujano, a fourth grade student at Brookside Elementary School, reads a letter to Ginger Katz, CEO
and founder of The Courage to SpeakAE Foundation, during the 9th Annual Courage to Speak Empowering
Youth to Be Drug-Free Family Night at West Rocks Middle School in Norwalk on Tuesday, March 19, 2013.
Photo: Amy Mortensen
In death, Ian Eaccarino is helping others fight against the addiction he couldn't overcome in life. Hundreds of Norwalk middle-school students made a pledge this year not to use drugs after hearing of Eaccarino's battle with drug addiction and accidental death from a heroin overdose at the age of 20.
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Kids urged to remain drug free, parents encouraged to speak out at West Rocks event
By ROBIN KAMINSKI
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Marc Abubo from Brookside Elementary School shows off his anti-drug art which is among
many on display by local
tudents Tuesday at the 9th annual Courage To Speak Empowing
Youth to be Drug Free Night at West Rocks School.
Hour photo/Matthew Vinci
NORWALK -- For the past 16 years, Ginger Katz has countlessly relived the painful story of her son Ian's drug overdose in an attempt to dissuade children from going down the same path.
On Tuesday, Katz once again reached out to children and parents to talk about the dangers of drugs at the ninth annual Courage to Speak Empowering Youth to be Drug-Free Family Night at West Rocks Middle School.
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March 19, 2013
Norwalk Students Take Drug-Free Vows
By: Mike Peal
Students from across Norwalk vowed a drug free future Tuesday night at West Rocks middle school.
Tuesday marked the Courage to Speak Foundation's ninth annual drug free family night, which aims to do exactly what it sounds like: encourage families to stay drug free together.
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March, 15, 2013
Courage to Speak Family Night is set, Katz meets Clinton
The Courage to Speak Foundation will hold its 9th annual Courage to Speak Empowering Youth to Be Drug-Free Family Night at 5:15 p.m. on March 19, at West Rocks Middle School.
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March 08, 2013
Foundation Gives Students Courage to Speak - West Rocks to host 9th annual drug prevention event
By: Mike Peal
Ginger Katz knows a little bit about a drug free community. She's been advocating for one for 16 years -- ever since her own son, Ian, died of a drug overdose.
"I wasn't ashamed of my son," Katz says. "He was a good kid but he made an unhealthy decision to use drugs. And I was not going to lie about him."
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February 18, 2013
Teen drug use the focus of speaking event at New Canaan High
By Tyler Woods
Ginger Katz, founder of The Courage to Speak
Foundation, shared the story of her son's drug
use with parents gathered at New Canaan High
School on Feb. 6, 2013. Katz warned parents
that low-level teen drug use could develop into
addiction and dangerous consequences.
Photo: Tyler Woods
Her son died after snorting heroin in the basement of her house nearly 17 years ago, and Ginger Katz has been sharing her story with children, teens and parents ever since.
Katz, the founder of the Courage to Speak Foundation, a Norwalk-based 501(c)(3), spoke to the public at New Canaan High School on Wednesday, Feb. 6.
Earlier in the week she had made the presentation to ninth- and 10th-graders in one session and 11th- and 12th-graders in another. The foundation works to engage home, school and community in a public health endeavor to keep children safe from drugs.
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February 5, 2013
Expert talks teen substance abuse in New Canaan Wednesday
Ginger Katz, CEO and founder of the Courage to Speak
Foundation, with a photo of her late son Ian, will be in
New Canaan on Wednesday, Feb. 6
Children will likely be offered alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, often many times, starting in middle school and continuing through high school. What can you do about this?
Learn about substance abuse and gain the knowledge and skills needed to keep your children safe at a town-wide presentation by Ginger Katz, CEO and founder of the Courage to Speak Foundation, on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m. at New Canaan High School.
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January 8, 2013
Grandparents Raising Teens Offered Free Talk By Ginger Katz
Raising a teen is no easy task, and for grandparents raising teenagers the thought of broaching tough subjects like alcohol use and bullying may be even more daunting. Community Renewal Team's Generations Campus that houses grandparents raising grandchildren is all too familiar with these struggles and is about to kick off a lecture and workshop series to help foster beneficial intergenerational communication strategies.
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September 26, 2012
Courage to Speak Foundation opens family resource center
State Rep. Gail Lavielle (R-Norwalk) spent a lot of time with her summer interns, and she talked to the young people extensively about what they thought of the new Connecticut drug laws--the one decriminalizing possession and personal use of less than one half ounce of marijuana, and the one approving the medical use of the marijuana.
"They are very confused now. They don't really understand what's OK to do and what isn't, and really what is legal and what is not," Laveille told the people gathered at the opening of the Courage to Speak Foundation Family Resource Center in Norwalk last Friday morning. "And whether having anything to do with it at all is maybe OK.
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September 2012
Courage to Speak Foundation Opens Resource Center
The Courage to Speak Foundation cut the ribbon on its Family Resource Center Friday morning.
The foundation, started by Ginger and Larry Katz after their son, Ian Eccarino, died of an accidental drug overdose in 1996, has made anti-drug presentations at schools across the country, but the resource center will allow students and parents increase access to the foundation's materials.
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July 30, 2012
New Haven runners take top two spots in Eaccarino Memorial 9-miler
NORWALK -- There was plenty of competition at the 14th annual Ian James Eaccarino Memorial 9-mile race on Saturday at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk as 164 runners officially crossed the finish line.
At the head of the pack were a pair of runners from New Haven as 20-year-old Colin Lu clocked in at 59 minutes and five seconds to place first and 31-year-old Joe Lauer finished a close second, just four seconds behind him.
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July 28, 2012
By STEVE KOBAK
hour staff writer, Saturday, July 28, 2012
NORWALK -- Norwalker Julie Heaphy said it took her a while to warm up on a breezy Saturday morning at Calf Pasture Beach but when she did, she wound up being the first woman to cross the finish line at the 14th annual Ian James Eaccarino Memorial 9-Mile Race.
July 21, 2012
"Drug Prevention Race to Save Lives"
The 14th Annual Ian James Eaccarino 9 Mile Race
June 27, 2012
Norwalk Mom Spreads Her Courage To Speak
by Christine Loughran
Drug addiction is not a character flaw, said Ginger Katz, the founder of the Courage to Speak Foundation. It’s a disease that requires professional help, just like any other.
“The problem doesn’t seem to be going away,” she said. “I’ve always said that if you don’t talk about a problem, you won’t be able to find a solution.”
Katz helped launch the Norwalk-based organization in 1996 after she lost her 20-year-old son Ian to a drug overdose. Her goal, which has now reached a national level, is to prevent her family’s tragedy from happening to others by raising awareness through educational programs as well as presentations and word of mouth.
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June 20, 2012
Solis honored by Patriots for paying it forward
Sixteen volunteers from across New England, including Luis Solis of Norwalk, were honored as Myra Kraft Community MVPs by the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation in a ceremony at Gillette Stadium last week.
The Community MVP Awards, a program for the past 12 years, honor individuals who exemplify leadership, dedication and a commitment to improving their communities through volunteerism.
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June 15, 2012
Norwalk's Solis honored by Kraft family foundation
By CHRIS BOSAK
Hour Staff Writer
NORWALK -- Luis Solis, owner of Norwalk Pizza and Pasta and Don Carmelo's Mexican Grill, recently received a Myra Kraft Community MVP Award, which honors individuals who exemplify leadership, dedication and a commitment to improving their communities through volunteerism.
Solis volunteers with The Courage to Speak Foundation, which will receive a $2,500 grant from the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation as a result of Solis's honor. Solis, along with the Courage to Speak Foundation, were honored at the Myra Kraft Community MVP Award Luncheon held this week at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Patriots chairman and CEO Robert Kraft, pro football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, and tight end Rob Gronkowski were on hand to congratulate the winners.
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May 23, 2012
Parent tells of son's struggle with drug abuse
by Eleanor Joyce
Colchester, Conn. —
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May 2012
The Courage to Speak Tonight in Colchester
by Ryan Blessing
Ginger Katz, CEO and Founder of The Courage To Speak Foundation. Inc., will be giving the Courage to Speak Presentation, a dynamic, riveting and thought-provoking drug prevention presentation, at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, at Bacon Academy.
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March 29, 2012
'Courage To Speak' Presentations Are Monday
Events will be held at high school and middle school during school day for students, and another event will be in the evening for parents.
By Caitlin Marquis
Ledyard Youth Services has announced that Ginger Katz, founder of The Courage to Speak Foundation, will visit Ledyard on Monday, April 2.
Katz, whose son died due to a drug overdose, now speaks to students and parents about the importance of open communication regarding drugs and alcohol.
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March 21, 2012
Students find courage to speak out against drugs
Since finding her 20-year-old son, Ian Eaccarino, dead in his bed from a heroin overdose on Sept. 10, 1996, motivational speaker, author and anti-drug advocate Virginia "Ginger" Katz of Norwalk has told her story thousands of times to parents, children, educators, religious leaders and law-enforcement officials.
The countless retelling hasn't dulled the pain, but it hasn't paralyzed her with inaction either.
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March 15, 2012
Youth at Great Risk for Prescription Drug Abuse
Prescription drug abuse is a significant problem in the United States, especially among youth. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), prescription and over-the-counter medications account for most of the commonly abused drugs among high school seniors and 70 percent of these 12th graders said they were given to them by a friend or relative. Many assume they are safe because a physician prescribes these medications or they are legal and easily available in any convenience store
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March 15, 2012
Drug Dangers? Katz Explains Tonight How to Have the 'Courage to Speak'
Connecticut mother Ginger Katz’s son, Ian, died of an accidental drug overdose when he was 20 years old. Shortly after she and her husband, Larry, created the Courage to Speak Foundation and have dedicated themselves to speaking out against the danger that stole their son at such a young age - drug abuse and the code of silence that surrounds it.
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November 16, 2011
Silence Kills
By Ginger Katz
At the cemetery of my son's Ian's burial, one of his close friends told me Ian was sexually molested at the age of 11. It was as though Ian died twice. After hearing this information, I asked several of Ian's friends what they knew. It turned out to be the truth.
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October 25, 2011
Mom Teaches Darien Kids To Stay Off Drugs
by Casey Donahue
DARIEN, Conn. – A personal account of the dangers of substance abuse was presented to Middlesex Middle School eighth-graders when Ginger Katz gave a talk last week on her son Ian's death from a heroin overdose at the age of 20.
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October 17, 2011
Courage to Speak - Courageous Parenting 101®
A FREE 3-session substance abuse education and prevention program for parents wishing to arm themselves with the knowledge of how to keep their children safe WHEN: October 20th at 6:30 pm WHERE: West Rocks Middle School 81 West Rocks Road, Norwalk, CT Continuing October 27th & November 3rd at 6:30 pm A Light Dinner Fare will be Served at 6:00 pm
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October 12, 2011
Katz brings message of drugs to city parents
By Danielle Capalbo, Hour Staff Writer
NORWALK - She usually tells the story to children: That of the well-liked boy who earned his black belt in grade school, played sports in high school and took honors courses at the University of Hartford before overdosing on heroin at the age of 20.
This month, however, Ginger Katz will bring the story of her son, Ian, to adults throughout Fairfield County with a drug prevention seminar called Courageous Parenting 101.
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October 11, 2011
Area School Hosts Courageous Parenting
by Joseph Cole
Ginger Katz is bringing her Courageous Parenting 101 course to West Rocks Middle School.
It's one thing to tell parents they need to talk to their children about the dangers of substance abuse. Ginger Katz of Norwalk knows that it is another matter entirely to communicate effectively.
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October 10, 2011
Courage to Speak Foundation hosts series
Parents are invited to learn about substance abuse and gain the knowledge and skills needed to keep their children safe. A free parent education series, "Courage to Speak -- Courageous Parenting 101," developed by the Courage to Speak Foundation, will be offered in English and Spanish at West Rocks Middle School, 81 West Rocks Road, Norwalk.
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October 9, 2011
The Courage to Speak® Foundation – Ginger Katz – November 2011
A FREE 3-session substance abuse education and prevention program for parents wishing to arm themselves with the knowledge of how to keep their children safe WHEN: October 20th at 6:30 pm WHERE: West Rocks Middle School 81 West Rocks Road, Norwalk, CT Continuing October 27th & November 3rd at 6:30 pm
Click here to read more.
October 7, 2011
"Courageous Parenting 101" Event in Norwalk
Posted by Ginger Katz
The Courage to Speak® Foundation is rolling out Courage to Speak- Courageous Parenting 101®, a drug education and prevention program for parents wishing to arm themselves with the knowledge of how to keep their children safe.
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October 5, 2011
Courage to Speak - Courageous Parenting 101
Posted by James M
It is a fact that our children will be offered alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, often many times, starting in middle school and continuing through high school. What can you do about this? Learn about substance abuse and gain the knowledge and skills needed to keep your children safe.
Click here to read more.
October 2011
Courage to Speak - October 5 - 7pm
On Thursday, Sept. 22nd, our the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders at HKMS had the privilege of hearing Ginger and Larry Katz speak about their son Ian’s struggle with drugs and alcohol and how to prevent it.
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October 2011
The Courage to Speak® Foundation is offering Courage to Speak – Courageous Parenting 101®
The Courage to Speak® Foundation is offering Courage to Speak – Courageous Parenting 101® in both English and Spanish at West Rocks Middle School, 81 West Rocks Road, Norwalk, CT. As a prelude to the course, Ginger Katz, CEO and Founder of the Courage to Speak®Foundation will deliver theCourage to Speak® Presentation on Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 6:30 pm, followed by session one. Sessions two and three will follow on Thursday, October 27th and November 3rd at 6:30 pm.
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September 30, 2011
Parenting 101
It is a fact that our children will be offered alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, often many times, starting in middle school and continuing through high school. What can you do about this? Learn about substance abuse and gain the knowledge and skills needed to keep your children safe.
Click here to read more.
September 27, 2011
Knowledge is Power. Courage to Speak-Courageous Parenting 101® The Lesson That Could Save Your Child’s Life
It is a fact that our children will be offered alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, often many times, starting in middle school and continuing through high school. What can you do about this? Learn about substance abuse and gain the knowledge and skills needed to keep your children safe.
Click here to read more.
September 22, 2011
 Farmington Valley
Courageous Parenting 101: The Lesson That Could Save Your Child's Life
Submitted by Caroline Wilcox, Media Consultant McCall Foundation
It is a fact that our children will be offered alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, often many times, starting in middle school and continuing through high school. What can you do about this? Learn about substance abuse and gain the knowledge and skills needed to keep your children safe.
Click here to read more.
August 8, 2011
Lightfoot runners cover nine miles in memory of Eaccarino
By Andy Hutchison, Correspondent
NORWALK -- It might not have been an easy run for everybody, but those competing in last Saturday's Lightfoot Running Club's race certainly had plenty of motivation to complete the 9-mile course which started and finished at Calf Pasture Beach.
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June 21, 2011
Fontbonne Academy Workshop - "Courageous Parenting 101"
By Frank Schroth
On Monday, June 27, the Fontbonne Academy Parents Guild will be sponsoring "Courageous Parenting 101," a highly acclaimed substance abuse education and prevention workshop for parents of teenagers. Developed by the Courage to Speak Foundation, the seminar will cover topics including drug trends and current party culture, establishing and enforcing healthy limits for teens, and effective parenting styles.
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June 16, 2011
Fontbonne to host workshop on teen drug use for parents
By Sarah Favot, Town Correspondent
The Fontbonne Academy Parents Guild is hosting "Courageous Parenting 101," a substance abuse education and prevention workshop for parents of teenagers, on Monday, June 27.
The workshop is developed by the Courage to Speak Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded to encourage youth to be drug-free and to help parents to communicate effectively with their children, according to its website.
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July 6, 2011
Norwalk Mom Dreams of an Army Battling Drug Abuse
By Joseph Cole
Norwalker Ginger Katz, with the support of her husband Larry, wants to raise an army. It is her goal — her wish — to see a battalion of mothers shout out in one singular voice that they will not be silent about the ravages of drug addiction.
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April 27, 2011
Courageous Parenting 101 available in Spanish
By Ginger Katz
I just couldn't believe it happened in our family.
I just couldn't believe that children are being exposed to this.
I just couldn't believe that drugs took my son.
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April 27, 2011
Courage to Speak now offered in Spanish
By Ginger Katz
I just couldn't believe it happened in our family.
I just couldn't believe that children are being exposed to this.
I just couldn't believe that drugs took my son.
Click here to read more.
March 17, 2011
Rising above the influence
By Rachel Shapiro
On Tuesday, March 22, the district will hold "Rise Above the Influence," a program aimed at keeping kids away from drugs, alcohol cyber-bullying and other destructive decisions.
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March 16, 2011
Students have courage to say 'drugs aren't part of the plan"™
By David Hennessey
Ginger Katz remembers how her son Ian James Eaccarino liked to cuddle on the couch with her, his sister and his stepdad Larry Katz. She remembers how Ian became the captain of his soccer team at age 8. She remembers how, two years later, he earned a black belt in karate and, at age 11, came in second to a 14-year-old boy in a competition at Madison Square Garden. She remembers how he was voted the most popular boy in his fifth-grade class.
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March 15, 2011
Courage to Speak holds 'Family Night'
By Carol King, Hour Correspondent
The horror of drug use was the focus of the seventh annual Courage To Speak "Empowering Youth to Be Drug Free Family Night."
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February 26, 2011
Courage to Speak's 'Empowering Youth to be Drug Free Family Night' slated Mar. 15
The seventh annual Courage To Speak "Empowering Youth to Be Drug Free Family Night" will take place on Tuesday, March 15, at 5:30 p.m., at West Rocks Middle School, 81 West Rocks Road, in Norwalk (Snow date: March 16).
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February 17, 2011
Malloy proposes decriminalizing pot
By Chase Wright, Hour Staff Writer
In an effort to cut costs and reduce the size of Connecticut's prison population, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has proposed decriminalizing possession of marijuana and sentencing certain drunken drivers to house arrest instead of jail.
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January 24, 2011
Courage to Speak - Courageous Parenting 101® course to be offered beginning Tuesday
A free parent education series, entitled Courage to Speak-Courageous Parenting 101® developed by the Courage to Speak Foundation will be offered by The McCall Foundation.
Click here to read more.
January 18, 2011
For one school, holiday was a 'day on'
By Danielle Capalbo, Hour Staff Writer
There were no classes Monday, yet 11-year-old Elveret Thomas arrived at West Rocks Middle School ready to learn on the 25th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
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January 17, 2011
Norwalk schools to celebrate MLK Day
By Danielle Capalbo, Hour Staff Writer
On the 25th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Norwalk Public Schools will celebrate the man's life and legacy with a free event open to community members.
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January 6, 2011
WOMAN of ACTION - Ginger Katz — A Celebration of Women
Ginger Katz recently wrote the novel Sunny's Story, which brought her message to life this year through the eyes of the family dog, Sunny, a keen and intelligent observer of the damage done by alcohol and drug use to her master, Ian.
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January 4, 2011
COMMENTARY: No child immune to addiction
COMMENTARY BY GINGER KATZ — On Sept. 10, 1996, I lost my 20-year-old son Ian to a drug overdose just before he was going into a rehabilitation program the next day. Ian had used tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and other drugs in high school. At one point he was picked up by an officer at a park in Norwalk, Conn. He was scolded and told to go home. The officer said "If I ever find you in this town again with any drugs, I will arrest you, now go home."
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January 3, 2011
Quincy Rotary Club, Mayor Tom Koch plan school program on drug dangers
By Jack Encarnacao
Next week will be Drug Awareness Week at both of the city's high schools.
Click here to read more.
January 3, 2011
Courageous Parenting 101 to be rolled out in Spanish
The Courage to Speak® Foundation will provide Spanish teen drug prevention information for Hispanic families and will roll out Courage to Speak - Courageous Parenting 101® in Spanish at West Rocks Middle School at 81 West Rocks Road, Norwalk, on Wednesday, Feb. 9 and 16 at 7 p.m. The program will give parents the knowledge to keep their children safe from substance abuse.
Click here to read more.
January 3, 2011
Parenting 101 adds class in Spanish
By Robert Koch, Hour Staff Writer
The Courage to Speak Foundation will bring its teen drug prevention program -- this time in Spanish language -- to West Rocks Middle School on two separate dates next month.
Click here to read more.
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