The Windsor-Essex Community Health Centre, along with several community agencies, are hosting a forum Tuesday night to talk about what they refer to as an "epidemic reaching our community youth."
Windsor-Essex is the 7th highest substance abuse county in the province with teens getting a hold of OxyContin in their home.
Health Centre Health Promoter Jodi Pearce says it is happening more than parents think.
"I really didn't suspect anything for kids in that age range from 17 to 21 to be experimenting with Opioids, I think the normal expectation is that kids are experimenting with alcohol and marijuana," says Pearce.
But LaSalle Police Constable Harbinder Gill says they are seeing a growing trend where students are getting their wisdom teeth pulled and asking for a month's worth of painkillers.
"These kids think that because it is prescribed that is ok and there is no danger but there is huge danger," says Constable Gill. "What is more important is that parents needs to know that and they need to step in and question their kid needs a months worth of Oxys or Tylenol 3s."
The "Not My Kid" Forum will include a guest speaker and expert panel to provide information and answer questions.
The free event is set for Tuesday, February 28th from 6-8pm at the Vollmer Recreation Centre in LaSalle.