Public invited to drug-prevention event

Costa Mesa High School is teaming up with The Crossing Church in Costa Mesa to host a drug prevention and awareness event Wednesday night called Avoid the Plague.

On Tuesday, physical education classes at Costa Mesa and Estancia high schools watched a documentary titled “Overtaken,” about the dangers of drugs. The program will culminate Wednesday in the Costa Mesa High School gym with speakers and booths from various drug recovery and law-enforcement agencies.

“We’re hoping to save some lives and give some families some hope and healing,” said Randy Moraitis, executive pastor of The Crossing Church who oversees the church’s recovery center.

Mesa Principal Phil D’Agostino approached Moraitis to help organize the event.

The pastor invited a range of speakers to the event, including a Mesa graduate who struggled with drug addiction.

“He’s going to share a little bit of his story as someone who can relate to the kids and someone who even might have partied with those kids,” Moraitis said.

Also, about 500 home drug tests will be handed out to parents, he said.

“Parents are totally unaware of [drug use],” Moraitis said. “They always want to believe the best about their kids.”

The event starts at 5:30 p.m. Members of the public, not just students and their parents, are encouraged to attend, D’Agostino said.

“The community doesn’t end at the boundaries of Costa Mesa High School,” he said.

— Jeremiah Dobruck

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck