Bainbridge High School will hold a free panel discussion next week on substance use and abuse.

The event, which will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31 in the commons at the high school, is sponsored by Bainbridge Island School District in partnership with Bainbridge Youth Services, Raising Resilience, the Bainbridge Healthy Youth Alliance and the Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island.

Last year at BHS and Eagle Harbor High, 18 students were suspended during the first six weeks of the school year for drug or alcohol use in school or during school activities. The rise in drug-related suspensions prompted principals Duane Fish and Dave Shockley to reach out to parents, urging them to have an open conversation with their children about drug use and abuse.

The panel discussion will feature Dr. Kevin Haggerty, a prevention expert from the University of Washington School of Social Work; Dr. Jillian Worth, a family physician at Virginia Mason Medical Center; Bainbridge Police Chief Matthew Hamner; and Nicole Hayford, a sexual assault response coordinator from Naval Base Kitsap and an intern therapist at Bainbridge Youth Services.

Parents, educators and community members are encouraged to attend the event. To register, visit raisingre silience.org/events-list/whats-the-harm/.