FORSYTH COUNTY — Standing in front of a crowd of more than 300, Forsyth County Commissioner Cindy Mills referenced some startling numbers to kick off a drug summit Tuesday night.

Ninety percent of addicts begin using in middle school, she said, adding that 65 percent of kids who begin using drugs in middle school will become addicts.

For a growing — and youthful — county such as Forsyth, these numbers can be terrifying.

Held at the Lanier Technical College Forsyth Conference Center in conjunction with the Forsyth County Drug Awareness Council, the summit was the second this year. And it helped shed some light on a difficult subject.

In addition to tables with presentations and information, the summit also featured a mock teenager’s bedroom, where Forsyth County Sheriff’s deputies showed parents common hiding places for drugs and makeshift paraphernalia to be on the lookout for.

The summit also included remarks from a recovering addict, his mother and an interventionist.