SNYDER, TX — Cogdell Memorial Hospital, in collaboration with Snyder Independent School District, is proud to announce a series of high-impact educational sessions titled "High in Plain Sight". Featuring nationally recognized experts Officer Jermaine Galloway (The Tall Cop) and Officer David Gomez, these sessions are open to all parents, guardians, and community members throughout the region who want to learn how to identify and prevent substance abuse and digital dangers among youth.
The program is made possible through a grant secured by Cogdell Memorial Hospital, reflecting a proactive investment in the health and safety of the local community.
“Our mission at Cogdell extends beyond the walls of the hospital; it includes the overall wellness and safety of the families we serve,” said Collin McLarty, CEO of Cogdell Memorial Hospital. “Our providers are seeing a significant uptick in teens and young adults coming in with complications from substance use, suffering from both short-term and long-term effects. By securing the grant to bring this specialized program to our area, we are providing our community with critical resources to intervene early and save lives.”
“While some sessions are hosted at Snyder ISD, we want to make it clear that this is a regional effort,” said Snyder Police Chief Mike Counts. “Anyone from the surrounding communities is welcome and encouraged to attend. You can’t stop what you don’t know, and these experts bring the knowledge our families need to keep kids safe.”
Dr. Jessica Gore, Snyder ISD Superintendent, shared a personal perspective: “As an educator and a mom, I care deeply about the safety of every student in our community. These problems are real and they are in our area. Even if you feel these issues don't affect your child directly, they likely affect their friends or classmates. We owe it to our children's future to step up, get involved, and learn how to protect them in this changing landscape.”
Expert Presenters
The "High in Plain Sight" program is a nationally recognized initiative that provides training and education regarding community substance abuse issues, drug accessibility, and concealment methods.
Officer Jermaine Galloway (The Tall Cop): A Texan and 18-year law enforcement veteran with over 20 years of experience in substance abuse prevention. He has trained over 825,000 professionals, and his high-energy classes provide vital insights into drug and alcohol prevention.
Officer David Gomez: A School Resource Officer with over 12 years of experience specializing in the dangers of social media and electronic devices. Officer Gomez has assisted the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and travels nationally to empower parents to navigate the digital landscape and understand the impact of drug normalization.
Public & Community Session Schedule
Anyone from the community or surrounding areas is welcome to attend any of the following meetings:
Wednesday, April 15: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM at First Baptist Church (Family Life Center).
Wednesday, April 15: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM at Snyder High School. Sessions will be held in English (Auditorium) and Spanish (Library).
Thursday, April 16: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM at Colonial Hill Baptist Church.
Specialized Training for Professionals
Specialized sessions are also available for regional professionals and district staff:
Snyder ISD Staff: Wednesday, April 15, from 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM at the Snyder High School Auditorium.
Educators, First Responders, and Healthcare Professionals: Thursday, April 16, from 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM at Colonial Hill Baptist Church.
These sessions are sponsored by Cogdell Memorial Hospital in collaboration with Snyder ISD. While these April dates focus on adult education, student-specific sessions and additional community meetings are scheduled to follow in May.
For more information regarding the "High in Plain Sight" series, please contact Snyder ISD or visit the district website.