"Warning signs:" Waukesha window display shows parents red flags for teen drug use

WAUKESHA -- It's not a typical window display in downtown Waukesha off South Street and Grand Avenue. Rather than trying to sell something, it's serving as an educational tool for parents.

"You're not going to see these big warning signs. It's usually these little tiny red flags to look for," said Katie Morrow, Waukesha County Drug Free Communities Coalition coordinator.

It's called "Hidden in Plain Sight."

The display has 20 items that can be red flags for substance abuse.

"Be involved in your kids' lives. Know what music and movies they're going to and know who their friends are. Be in their room. If they have drug posters, there's probably a reason," said Morrow.

Vanilla extract has a high alcohol content and grape soda is commonly used as a mixer.

Many household items are also used to cover up the smell of smoke.

"The toilet paper roll with the dryer sheets that might be used to mask the smell of smoking marijuana, and any type of cologne, breath fresheners, air fresheners," said Morrow.

CD cases with scratches can be the result of cutting and snorting drugs.

Also, be mindful if your tin foil goes missing.

"People can make pipes out of that or they can use that to smoke or they can use it to package drugs," said Morrow.

People can pick up a flyer to help identify the various red flags within the window display, which will be up through January.

"Hidden in Plain Sight" is put on by Waukesha County Drug Free Communities and Your Choice.

For more information on these organizations CLICK HERE and CLICK HERE.