The City of Santa Clarita and the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s station are asking for your help.

There are no suspect mug shots, no vehicle descriptions, no modus operandi to broadcast.

What they want to know – from teens in our city – is the word on the street about drugs.

“Teen Talk Drugs: A Conversation With Captain Becker” is an open forum being held at 4:30 p.m. March 9 in City Council chambers for teens to interact with law enforcement representatives in a non-threatening environment. Parents are welcome to attend and it’s free to all.

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“Drugs are impacting the quality of life for Santa Clarita families,” said SCV Sheriff’s Captain Paul Becker. “Please join us to educate and advise us on what is being said about drugs. We need your help in developing education, intervention, and enforcement programs to prevent the devastating impact that drug use can have on our families, and the community.”

The idea of going to a likely source of information isn’t new in the city, which made national headlines several years ago by surveying hairdressers and manicurists for the scoop on their customers’ concerns. Going directly to the youth of the community could give law enforcement a better approach to attacking the drug problem that exists in Santa Clarita, whether it’s taking a more aggressive approach, refining educational programs or concentrating efforts on certain areas of the city.

Teens are invited to come to City Hall and share their views and perspectives on the drug scene, or take an online survey that covers a wide variety of topics, including:

• What is the youngest age a teen you know first tried alcohol, marijuana or any other drug?
• Where do teens first see drugs being used?
• What do you believe are the risks of using drugs?
• What is your opinion about what society/media is saying about drugs?
• What drug-related services/resources are needed in our city?

To get more information on the meeting, call 661-250-3708. To take the survey or get a sneak peek at the Captain’s questions, click here.