Saving a child "piece by piece"

Communication between all invested stakeholders is essential to the development of children. Each of us possess a critical puzzle piece in identifying the complete picture of a teen. By assembling all of these pieces, we are able to better identify a child who may be struggling or who may fall victim to a crisis. These indicators are in front of us, but often so difficult to see until we know what to look for. As such, these poor lifestyle choices may be hidden right in front of us.

Hidden High and Hammered grew from the Mock Teen Room. Stash devices (Hidden) are shown to illustrate commonplace items meant to deceive and conceal. Marijuana and its associated paraphernalia (High) are exhibited to showcase THC in its current forms. Also included are vapes, vape paraphernalia, CBD products, and products/logos indicative of the drug culture. Alcohol products (Hammered) marketed toward younger demographics are presented. The demonstration culminates with a challenge to identify items in a game of "Booze or No Booze."

Working with teens has afforded me the opportunity to learn the products marketed toward kids. My goal is to educate parents, teachers, and concerned adults of the behavioral signs to look for and the products designed to encourage poor lifestyle choices.

Dr. Beth J. Sanborn

Beth J. Sanborn joined the Lower Gwynedd Police force in 1997. Since then, she has served as a Field Training Officer, Officer in Charge (OIC), and currently serves as a School Resource Officer assigned to the Wissahickon School District. Since 2015, she assumed responsibility for all juvenile cases, earning her the title of Juvenile Detective. Beth earned her Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Widener University in 1996. She later earned her Master's Degree in Criminal Justice from St. Joseph's University in 2014. Most recently, Beth earned her Doctoral Degree in Public Administration from West Chester University in 2019. Her Doctoral dissertation is entitled “School Resource Officers as Mentor/Counselors, Including Levels of Intervention.” She actively volunteers with the Montgomery County Office of Children and Youth and Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center.

Beth sits on the executive board for PASRO, the Pennsylvania Association of School Resource Officers, is an instructor for NASRO, the National Association of School Resource Officers and is a Director & Policy Fellow for the International Center for Law Enforcement Studies.

In the Media

It takes a village to keep kids safe. I have been fortunate enough to have the support of multiple media outlets to help share this message with parents and the community. This clip, an interview with NBC10 Philadelphia's Katy Zachry, highlights how we can all work together to understand and recognize a child in crisis. By working together with the goal of offering help, not focusing on the stigmas of mental health and substance abuse, we can ensure our kids have the resources available to succeed.

My efforts have also been featured on 93.3 WMMR on the Preston and Steve Show as well as on CBS Philly. Click here to view my other stories with NBC10 Philadephia.