DARTMOUTH Parents and caregivers in Dartmouth can learn how everyday household items can be used to hide alcohol, vaping products and other substances at a free town event next month. Hidden in Plain Sight starts at 6 p.m. Nov. 5 at the North Branch Library, 211 Cross Road, according to a news flash the town posted Oct. 16.
The event is open to parents, caregivers and any other adults in the community who would like to attend, according to the event page on the town's Youth Advocate department site, and pre-registration is required.
What happens at the event
The evening is built around a walk through a mock teen bedroom, the town says. Adults try to spot ordinary objects that may serve a different purpose than they appear to. After the walkthrough, facilitators go through the hidden items with the group and talk about what parents and caregivers should be aware of.
Topics also include current trends, possible warning signs and ways to have open and productive conversations with young people, according to the town, along with where families can turn if they have concerns or need more support.
"The goal of 'Hidden in Plain Sight' is to increase awareness and provide adults with practical information and tools to support the young people in their lives," the news flash says. The town's event page adds: "The purpose of this event is not to scare parents or encourage them to go home and search their child's room."
Who leads it
Youth Advocate Deloris Joseph and Substance Use Program Coordinator Rachel Dzialo will lead the presentation in partnership with the Children's Advocacy Center of Bristol County, the town says. Representatives from the center will be there to share information and resources for parents, caregivers and families.
The Youth Advocate department's page also links to the town's Youth Commission and to Dartmouth Advocates for Addiction, Recovery and Treatment, known as DAART, and notes that 988 is now the number for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
How to attend
The event is free, and registration is done through a form on the town's Hidden in Plain Sight event page, which asks for each person's name, address, email address and phone number. Questions can go to Joseph, the youth advocate, at djoseph@dartmouthma.gov or 508-910-1851.
Label: Reported by us, from the town's posted records.
How we verified this
Every fact comes from the Town of Dartmouth's news flash posted Oct. 16 and the town's Hidden in Plain Sight event page on its Youth Advocate department site. We read both on Oct. 21, and no other outlet's reporting is used. We checked each date and weekday against a calendar: Nov. 5, 2026, is a Thursday, as the town's notice says. Not heard: no comment was sought; the town's notice lists the organizer's contact information for questions.
Corrections
No corrections to this story. If something here is wrong, tell us. Every correction is dated on the story and listed in our public log.
Sources (2)
- Dartmouth to Host Hidden in Plain Sight Community Education EventTown of Dartmouth news flash, posted Oct. 16, 2026. Event date, time and place, mock bedroom format, topics, goal quote, facilitators, partnership, registration and contact. Read Oct. 21, 2026.
- Hidden in Plain Sight Community EventTown of Dartmouth, Youth Advocate department page. Who may attend, the purpose quote, where families can turn, registration form fields, Youth Commission, DAART and 988 links. Read Oct. 21, 2026.