A six-week program on alcohol and drug abuse will be offered at 6 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 3 through Feb. 7, at the Waupaca County Courthouse, 811 Harding St., Waupaca.

Offered by the Department of Health and Human Services, the weekly two-hour classes are free and open to anyone over the age of 16 who wants to explore their own alcohol or drug use or those who may have a friend or relaltive with addicition-related problems.

The course will focus on understanding and dealing with addiction.Each participant will receive a personal packet of information that they may keep.

Ronald Pehlke, a clinical substance abuse counselor for Waupaca County DHHS, will present a brief lecture during each session, answer questions and facilitate group discussion. Pehlke has 35 years of experience in the addiction field.

“The presentations will be offered in a very relaxed setting with absolutely no requirements other than regular attendance,” Pehlke said. “Any self disclosure will be at the participant’s own discretion and comfort level.”

Participants are asked to commit to attending all six sessions. For more information, call Pehlke at 715-258-6287 or Sharon at 715-258-6304 by Jan. 2, 2012.