APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – A new public exhibit aims to keep tragedy from striking area families.
Bev Kelley-Miller’s ‘Hidden in Plain Sight’ is currently up at Fox Valley Technical College.
The exhibit features a mock bedroom, where Kelley-Miller notes just about anything can be used to hide drugs or alcohol.
“It looks like pen, but instead it’s hollowed out, and they can use it to snort. My daughter had hollowed out pens in her make-up bag.”
Kelley-Miller’s daughter Megan died of a heroin overdose two years ago.
“We are living the grief every single day, and it’s a forever loss. But I can try to prevent other parents from going through this.”
Other hiding places Kelley-Miller notes include pillows, stuffed animals, and sunscreen containers.
“It’s been there for years probably but suddenly now, it’s a hiding place.”
Prior to searching the teen or pre-teens room, Kelley-Miller suggests suspicious parents pay close attention to behavior and appearance.
“You’re going to be tipped off by their behaviors. Are they having trouble in school? If your kid starts to pick at their face or has the nods, those can be signs.”
Bill VanLopik checked out the exhibit Monday.
“Just a very powerful experience to see all of those little clues.”
‘Hidden in Plain Sight’ is open May 1-3 and 8-10 from 9 am to Noon and 1 pm to 4 pm.
Opiate drug abuse has been a growing problem in some area communities.
The Fond du Lac Fire Department notes its responders administered Narcan, the drug that counteracts the effects of an opiate overdose, eleven times in April.
They say that is more instances than the previous four months combined.
