Have you ever wished you could get in teenagers' heads to find out why the lure of drugs and alcohol is, in some cases, so powerful?

Well, now you can.

As part of the second annual "Conversation Forum," local teens will share "their personal journey through substance abuse," according to organizer Kim Rubenstein.

The Jan. 30 panel discussion, which is one of many substance abuse awareness events put forth by Hatboro-Horsham School District's nearly 2-year-old initiative, Be A Part of the Conversation, is focused on continuing the conversation about drugs and alcohol.

"What people really liked about it was they got to hear the reality of substance abuse in young people," Rubenstein said of last year's forum, which drew about 150 people. "They got to ask some tough questions."

For this week's program, Rubenstein said two local high school students heavily involved with Alateen meetings will share the perspective of a young person living with someone a parent or sibling who struggles with substance abuse. 

Like most Be A Part of the Conversation events, Rubenstein said the Jan. 30 discussion is intended for people age 13 and up. 

"It’s pretty raw," she said. 

But, by keeping an "open and honest" conversation going with the forum and similar events, Rubenstein is hopeful that the stigma about substance abuse can be reduced. 

"This could affect any family," Rubenstein said. 

If you go

Hatboro-Horsham School District's Conversation Forum will be held Jan. 30 at 6:30 p.m. at the Horsham Community Center. Click here for more details.