Category Archives: Teens

Marijuana actually is bad for kids’ brains

Posted on October 12, 2012 | Comments Off on Marijuana actually is bad for kids’ brains

From http://mavotenoonquestion3.com/smoking-marijuana-harms-youth/

“What we do know for sure is that smoking marijuana profoundly harms youth.”

Posted by on Sep 23, 2012 in Education

“What we do know for sure is that smoking marijuana profoundly harms youth.”

Christian Thurstone, M.D. says, “I’m interested in this subject because 95 percent of the teenagers treated for substance abuse and addiction in my adolescent substance-abuse treatment clinic at Denver Health are there because of their marijuana use, and because nationwide, 67 percent of teens are referred to substance treatment because of their marijuana use.”

Diverted “medical” marijuana increases access while myths fuel perceptions about harmfulness.

 

“There are active compounds in cannabis that have some therapeutic use for adults, and either have been developed into medications that have received approval from the federal Food & Drug Administration or are currently being studied by the FDA. What we do know for sure is that smoking marijuana profoundly harms youth.

“Marijuana is the No. 1 reason why adolescents seek substance-abuse treatment in the United States.”

The diversion of “medical” marijuana is among the major contributors to teen access to the drug.

The results of the research, with citations, of Dr. Christian Thurstone and the University of Colorado at Denver Health Sciences Center and Denver Health & Hospital Authority are available in this slide show entitled, “Understand the Big Deal:  How Marijuana Harms Youth”

As the research shows, risks of adolescent marijuana use include:

• Psychosis: Adolescents who use marijuana before the age of 18 are 2-4 times more likely to develop symptoms of psychosis in early adulthood than those who do not. This finding has been replicated at least eight times and persists after controlling for many possible confounding variables, such as family history, other substance use and socioeconomic status. These studies have involved thousands and thousands of people over generations and in several populations and countries. Dr. Thurstone explains more about marijuana and psychosis here.
• Structural changes to the brain: Animal studies and fMRI studies show changes in brain structure (especially the hippocampus) in people exposed to marijuana during adolescence.
• School dropout: Marijuana use in adolescence predicts less school achievement.
• Risky sex: Marijuana use predicts risky sexual behaviors, such as not using a condom.
• Addiction: There is no longer scientific debate that marijuana is both psychologically and physically addictive.
• Aggression: Marijuana withdrawal frequently includes restlessness, nervousness, agitation and insomnia. These, in turn, can lead to aggression.
• Accidents are the leading cause of death for adolescents, and marijuana use predicts an increased risk of automobile accidents. One study in France found that of drivers younger than 30 who were killed in a traffic accident, 30 percent were acutely intoxicated by marijuana at the time of their deaths.
• Cognition: Marijuana has acute, sub-acute and long-term effects on cognition.

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Posted in Elections, Teens

Medical marijuana ballot issue

Posted on September 17, 2012 | 1 comment
Massachusetts has a November citizen petition ballot question about legalizing medical marijuana, that has basically been totally paid for personally by the CEO of Progressive Insurance.  He contributed $990,000 of the $996,000 the vote “Yes” effort has raised.
According to Marilyn G. Belmonte, Executive Director of Healthy Outcomes, Inc.,P. O. Box 1290,Burlington, MA 01803 (781-572-1478) http://www.gethealthyoutcomes.org/  many people are concerned by the data showing that legalizing medical marijuana will likely increase marijuana use by our young people, which statistically increases their likelihood of disrupted brain development.   Her group has put out the following materials to oppose the ballot question –
=====================

In November, voters will have the opportunity to vote on Ballot Question 3, Medical Use of Marijuana.

 We are opposed to Question 3 because the language of this proposed law will cause problems for our young people.

As a community coalition working to prevent youth substance abuse, an essential priority is to reduce teen marijuana use through environmental strategies that decrease access to marijuana and increase perception of harm of the drug.  Current research shows:

  • There is a direct correlation between “medical” marijuana initiatives and decreases in perception of harm and social disapproval. States that have “medical” marijuana programs have among the lowest perceptions of harm among youth in the nation.[1]  The 2011 Monitoring the Future Survey reports that 22.7 percent of U.S. high school seniors thought that there was a great risk of harm from smoking marijuana occasionally, down from 26.6 percent in 2003.[2]  Efforts to pass “medical” marijuana initiatives further normalize marijuana use among youth and thereby lessen the perceptions of its dangers and negative effects, which will result in increases in youth
    marijuana use.
  • State that have legalized marijuana as medicine are experiencing widespread use and abuse of marijuana.  States with “medical” marijuana laws have higher marijuana abuse and dependence rates almost twice as high than states without such laws.[3]
  • Medical marijuana is being diverted to youth through increased supply and easy access.  The 2008-2009 State Estimates of Drug Abuse show that four of the top five states, and 14 of the 18 states with the highest percentage of past month marijuana users ages 12-17 are states with “medical marijuana” programs.[4]  A 2012 study shows that among adoles­cents in substance abuse treatment in Denver, Colorado, 74% had used someone else’s medical marijuana a median of 50 times.[5]
  • Marijuana is addictive. The National Institutes of Health found that the earlier marijuana use is initiated, the higher the risk for drug abuse and dependence. Those who begin using the drug in their teens have approximately a one-in-six chance of developing marijuana dependence.[6] In fact, children and teens are six times likelier to be in treatment for marijuana than for all other illegal drugs combined.[7] Addiction rates among 12-17 year olds are among the highest levels nationally in states that have “medical marijuana” programs.[8]
  • Marijuana use negatively impacts adolescent brain development. A study by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the National Institute on Mental Health, found that adolescents and young adults who are heavy users of marijuana are more likely than non-users to have disrupted brain development. Researchers found abnormalities in areas of the brain that interconnect brain regions involved in memory, attention, decision-making,

language and executive functioning skills.  A new, 2012 study indicates an average eight-point drop in IQ among teens who use marijuana.[9]

  • Marijuana Use Negatively Impacts Academic Achievement.  Youth with an average grade of D or below were more than four times as likely to have used marijuana in the past year than youth with an average grade of A.[10] The more a student uses drugs such as marijuana, the lower their grade point average is likely to be and the more likely they are to drop out of school.[11]
  • Marijuana use negatively impacts employability.  More than 6,000 companies nationwide and scores of industries and professions require a pre-employment drug test, according to The Definitive List of Companies that Drug Test (available at www.testclear.com). 6.6% of high school seniors already smoke marijuana on a daily basis would fail any required pre-employment drug test at the more than 6,000 companies that require it. “Medical” marijuana initiatives would exacerbate this problem.
  • States that have approved “medical marijuana” use have experienced costly highway safety issues. 20% of crashes in the U.S. are caused by drugged driving.[12] Marijuana is the most prevalent illegal drug detected in impaired drivers, fatally injured drivers, and motor vehicle crash victims. The Colorado Department of Transportation found that after passing “medical marijuana” legislation in the state, drivers who tested positive for marijuana in fatal car crashes DOUBLED between 2006 and 2010.  In 2010, six cities in California conducted nighttime weekend voluntary roadside surveys and found that the percentage of drivers who tested positive for marijuana (8.4%) was greater than the percentage that were using alcohol (7.6%).[13]

Massachusetts’ youth already smoke marijuana at a rate 30% higher than the national average, where one in three high school students currently smoke marijuana.  Our local youth marijuana use rates reflect the state numbers.  Ballot Question 3 to legalize marijuana as medicine would increase both access to marijuana, and social acceptability of the drug – and the research clearly shows that these two variables have direct causal link to increased teen marijuana use.

WaylandCares cannot support legislation that has the strong, likely potential to increase youth marijuana use.  Further,

, opposes the legalization of medicinal marijuana and cannot support legislation t

This experiment is failing in other states.

We know from other states that have passed “medical” marijua­na laws, that this is a failed public health and safety experiment. Marijuana is illegal under federal law. Let’s not join the states that are now spending enormous resources to address the legal conflicts, addiction and exploitation that Question 3 would promote. Real compassion means real medicine determined through scientific process. Drugs should not circumvent the rigorous study, clinical trials and research that determines what true medicine is, and they should be dispensed properly through our pharmaceutical system. Anything less puts our public at risk and results in unforeseen, unintended consequences that are harmful to people and the communities in which they live.

For the health and welfare of our youth and neighborhoods____________ opposes Ballot Question 3 and its system for dispensing marijuana in communities across the Commonwealth.

[1] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), State Estimates from the 2008- 2009 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health

[2] Johnston, L. D., O’Malley, P. M., Bachman, J. G., & Schulenberg, J. E. (December 14, 2011). University of Michigan, 2011 Monitoring the Future Study

[3] Cerda, M. et al. (2011). Medical marijuana laws in 50 states: investigating the relationship between state legalization of medical marijuana and marijuana use, abuse and dependence. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. Found at http://www.columbia.edu/~dsh2/pdf/MedicalMarijuana.pdf; and Wall, M. et al (2011). Adolescent Marijuana Use from 2002 to 2008: Higher in States with Medical Marijuana Laws, Cause Still Unclear, Annals of epidemiology, Vol 21 issue 9 Pages 714-716

[4] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), State Estimates from the 2008- 2009 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health

[5] Salomonsen-Sautel, S. et al (2012).  Medical Marijuana Use Among Adolescents in Substance Abuse Treatment, Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Vol 51, Issue 7, pages 694-702

[6] Wagner, F.A. & Anthony, J.C. (2002). From first drug use to drug dependence; developmental periods of risk for dependence upon marijuana, cocaine, and alcohol. Neuropsychopharmacology, 26, 479-488.

[7] The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University. CASA white paper, Non-Medical Marijuana II: Rite Of Passage Or Russian Roulette? 2008.

[8] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), State Estimates from the 2008- 2009 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health

[9] Mieir, Madeline, H., et al (2012). Persistent Cannabis Users Show Neuropsychological Decline from Childhood to Midlife.  Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.  Published on line at http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2012/08/22/1206820109.abstract.

[10] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA), 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).

[11]Johnston, L. D., O’Malley, P. M., Bachman, J. G., & Schulenberg, J. E.. University of Michigan, 2011. Monitoring the Future Study

[12]  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2010.

[13] Office of Traffic Safety, California, 2010. Press Release: “Drug Use Rises in California Fatal Crashes”.External link, please review our disclaimer.

==============================

The Commonwealth will be voting on Question 3 in November. If passed, Question 3 would set up an extensive system of marijuana storefronts in our state, allow people to grow marijuana in their homes and apartments, and provide a defense to those carrying hundreds of joints under the guise of medicine. This is not about the terminally ill – it is about widespread marijuana abuse.

Specifically, the law would:

Set up 35 marijuana retail stores throughout Massachusetts
This number could increase in future years. These stores would be owned and operated by anyone 21 years old or older and would sell marijuana ice cream, candy, cookies, joints, and other items. There is no requirement in the law to have a physician or licensed pharmacist on site.

Allow people to grow marijuana in their home
Your neighbor could grow marijuana plants in their backyard, on their veranda, in their window flower boxes. Your children’s friends could have marijuana growing in their home study, bathroom or garage.
Allow people to carry up to a 60-day (2 month) supply of marijuana on their person
A daily dose is undefined in the law. If a daily dose is two joints (most likely it will be more like three to five joints, or 3 marijuana infused brownies), this means a person could have as many as 120 joints (or brownies) on their person or transport this amount of marijuana in their vehicle. Large amounts of marijuana could be issued, possessed and protected under the guise of “medicine.”

Allow virtually anyone to obtain marijuana
The proposed legislation lists a few specific conditions for which marijuana can be obtained, but then opens it up to “other conditions as determined in writing by a qualifying patient’s physician.” This is the loophole that is promoting widespread pot use in other states that have passed this type of law – the chronically ill are not the people using existing state programs. In fact, in these programs, less than 5% of people list cancer, HIV/AIDS, or glaucoma as reasons for obtaining marijuana.

Increase Marijuana Use Among Youth
Since decriminalization passed in 2008, Massachusetts has seen a considerable rise in youth marijuana use; rates are now 30% higher than that of the nation.1 Currently, one in three teenagers use marijuana regularly in the Commonwealth. Major studies by researchers at Columbia University and elsewhere have found that states with “medical” marijuana had marijuana abuse/dependence rates almost twice as high than states without such laws.2,3

Other Massachusetts organizations who have joined in opposing Question 3.
Massachusetts Medical Society, Worcester District Medical Society, Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse, Research at Children’s Hospital – Boston, Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery, Massachusetts Prevention Alliance, Massachusetts Major City Police Chiefs Association, Massachusetts Family Institute, Healthy Outcomes Incorporated

Other associations that do NOT support the use of marijuana as medicine, include:
American Medical Association, American Society for Addiction Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, The American Glaucoma Society, The American Academy of Ophthamology, The American Cancer Society

We know from other states that have passed “medical” marijuana laws, that this is a failed public health and safety experiment. Let’s not join the states that are now spending enormous resources to address the crime, addiction and exploitation that Question 3 would promote. Real compassion means real medicine determined through scientific process. Drugs should not circumvent the rigorous study, clinical trial and research process that determines what true medicine is through a public voting process. And they should be dispensed properly through our pharmaceutical system. Anything less puts our public at risk and bears unforeseen, unintended consequences that are harmful to people and the communities in which they live.

1. CDC, Youth Online, High School YRBSS, http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/youthonline/App/Default.aspx
2. Cerda, M. et al. (in press). Medical marijuana laws in 50 states: investigating the relationship between state legalization of medical marijuana and marijuana use, abuse and dependence. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. Found at http://www.columbia.edu/~dsh2/pdf/MedicalMarijuana.pdf
3. Wall, M. et al (2011). Adolescent Marijuana Use from 2002 to 2008: Higher in States with Medical Marijuana Laws, Cause Still Unclear, Annals of epidemiology, Vol 21 issue 9 Pages 714-716.

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Posted in MCAP - Medfeild Cares About Prevention, Teens

Native Plant Garden at library

Posted on September 17, 2012 | Comments Off on Native Plant Garden at library

Two girl scouts, Sophie Werner and Allegra Pericles, created a wonderful native plant garden in a triangular space between a walkway and the parking lot, next to the library.

Per Girl Scout leader, Katherine Steeger,  The “purpose was to establish a garden that would showcase not only native plants, but endangered, native plants.  Sophie and Allegra have created a pamphlet and three-fold display board explaining their garden.  In addition, they created a book where each plant in the garden is shown in a photograph and the details about it are presented.  They have also established a website which talks about what is happening in the garden and other information  –  website.

What a great addition to the downtown.   See it here.

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Posted in Downtown, Library, Teens, Volunteers

Needham’s work on youth substance abuse

Posted on June 7, 2012 | Comments Off on Needham’s work on youth substance abuse

Needham already got the Federal youth substance abuse grant that MCAP just applied to get, and the link below is to Needham’s overview of its program, and shows what they are doing.  Needham’s program is run by Medfield resident Carol Read.

https://medfield02052.blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/needham-ncysap-dfc-overview-8-2011.pdf

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Posted in MCAP - Medfeild Cares About Prevention, Teens

Support Riverside Community Care by shopping at Whole Foods Market, Dedham this Thursday

Posted on June 6, 2012 | Comments Off on Support Riverside Community Care by shopping at Whole Foods Market, Dedham this Thursday

6/06/2012  9:37AM
Your Help!  FW: Shop at Whole Foods in Dedham this Thursday and support the Riverside Trauma Center
Read, Carol A.
===========================================================
Please share this email with friends and families in Medfield  who may
be supported by the amazing staff and programs at Riverside Community
Care. Thank you Carol

=======================

Subject: Shop at Whole Foods in Dedham this Thursday and support the
Riverside Trauma Center

Please encourage any friends or family members who live near Dedham to
shop at Whole Foods this Thursday. Whole Foods will give the Trauma
Center 5% of their net profits to us for the day. Thanks for your
consideration and support!! Jim

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here
<http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=n9yxyciab&v=001mwaRH
iQxrQcS-ebeFyOQW2mp-zOWPIOrRbYvmCNBqxknHd3yaYUeuEY4MqSxDzllq05nk5RYvr9hF
WE1u-OviAqsKfOlJk9M92v-PYsaYqbIp2EtrTBf0lbcymhYAFnDbTKivRQ7bqZEU1BuC5Mp4
1ioZwd0OTuXBTjCd3202B4%3D>

Riverside Trauma Center

Spring 2012

Upcoming Events

Whole Foods 5% Day to Benefit
Riverside Trauma Center

Mark your calendar, tell your friends!

On Thursday, June 7, 2012, Whole Foods Market at Legacy Place in Dedham,
MA, will donate 5% of that day’s net sales to Riverside Trauma Center.
Riverside Trauma Center helps people in Massachusetts recover from the
extreme stress caused by traumatic events, such as natural disasters,
serious accidents, suicides, homicides, and terrorism.

So when you shop at Whole Foods Market at 300 Legacy Place in Dedham,
MA, on June 7,  in addition to getting great groceries, you’ll also be helping
to raise funds for Riverside Trauma Center.

Free Event in Dedham:  Keeping Your Teen Safe

On Wednesday, June 6, 2012, Whole Foods will be sponsoring a Riverside
Trauma Center presentation about Keeping Your Teen Safe: Recognizing
Signs and Symptoms of Depression and Suicide. This is a great
opportunity for parents to gain insight and ask questions about an
important mental health issue that impacts many teens today. Waheeda
Saif, LMHC, Program Coordinator at Riverside Trauma Center will conduct
the presentation at the Dedham Community House (671 High Street, Dedham,
MA) from 7-8:30 pm. Registration for this event is not needed.

Riverside Trauma Center is a service of Riverside Community Care, a
non-profit organization. Services are primarily funded through donations
and grants. All contributions are welcome and appreciated.

http://www.riversidetraumacenter.org
781-433-0672, ext. 5636

Riverside Trauma Center | 255 Highland Avenue | Needham | MA | 02494

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Posted in Charity, Teens

MYAC holding town wide dance 3/23

Posted on March 15, 2012 | Comments Off on MYAC holding town wide dance 3/23

Hello everyone!

Medfield Youth Action Committee is pleased to formally and officially announce our first Swing Dance Night! The event is on Friday, March 23rd from 7-10pm at the Pfaff center! We will have a swing dance lesson at the beginning and a live performance from the Medfield High School Jazz Band! We will also have apple pie and icecream! Tickets are being sold at Lords for $3 or contact medfieldyac@gmail.com to reserve them.  We also hope to host more dances in the near future and encourage the education of dance in Medfield and build on the success of the first one. Hopefully the next night will be a Latin night with Cha-Cha and Salsa dancing!
As we said in the meeting in February, we have used the planning of this event to help us in understanding how we will construct the manual. That will be our next major project moving forward in addition to planning and running more dances.
To follow up on our youth members- we held a meeting a week after our February one with all of you for students for underclassmen interested in joining.  Of those at the first meeting, we have a solid group of 22 freshman/sophomores that are consistently coming to meetings! Today we taught them how to swing dance, so they will be helping out at this first upcoming dance.
Again, let us know how we can help your organization in town or if you have any ideas of events/changes that you want to see happen! We will also keep everyone informed about our current projects.
Thank you for your support,
MYAC

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Posted in Entertainment, Teens

MCAP meeting this morning

Posted on March 14, 2012 | Comments Off on MCAP meeting this morning

Inspiring long meeting this morning with Medfield Care About Prevention (MCAP), about finalizing the $625,000 grant application.  Lots of work had been done by Medfeild Youth Outreach’s Dawn Alcott and volunteer, Dr. Susan Andersen, to put the grant application together, so it can be presented to town administrator Mike Sullivan this week.  This morning the group brainstormed the remaining details Dawn and Sue needed, especially for the Environmental Changes and Strategy section.

Superintendent Maguire made the suggestion that even if Medfeild did not get one of the thirty grants being issued nationwide, that our already coalesced group should continue the discussions of how the town can best assist our youth in being safer.  Two major themes discussed were creating a culture of safety and parlaying on the strengths of the town’s education system to effect change.  I also especially liked Chris Potts’ suggestion of  mentoring as a promising strategy for changing behaviors.

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Posted in MCAP - Medfeild Cares About Prevention, Teens

MCAP grant proposal

Posted on March 1, 2012 | Comments Off on MCAP grant proposal

This morning I attended a long Medfield Care About Prevention (MCAP) meeting at Medfield High School at which Dawn Alcott, the director of the Medfield Youth Outreach office, and her team presented their plan to apply for a five year $625,000 ($125,000 a year for five years) federal grant to address substance abuse in Medfield.  The goal would be to change the community culture.

The availability of the grant monies was a recent surprise happening, and as a result the team is scrambling to get the grant application submitted within the next three weeks.  This morning the team filled the twelve required slots on the coalition mandated by the grant.  I was asked to be the representative from a “local … agency with expertise in the field of substance abuse,”  based upon my being a Medfield selectman with a twenty year history as a member of the Riverside Community Care board, including five as its president.  During my tenure with Riverside Community Care, Riverside grew from about a $36,000 per year vendor to the state using borrow state staff into a $30 m. per year community mental health center.  In the fifteen years since I left its board, Riverside has doubled in size.

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Posted in Safety, Schools, Teens, Town Services

Medfield Foundation volunteers of the year

Posted on March 1, 2012 | Comments Off on Medfield Foundation volunteers of the year

What a treat last night to attend the meeting where the Medfield Foundation volunteer of the year were selected.  The variety and depth of the volunteer work that people in Medfield are doing is astonishing, and will knock your socks off when you hear about it.

A great innovation this year thanks to Ellen  Bankert’s suggestion that the youth nominees, who are all Medfield High School students, present what they are doing or have done to an assembly at the Blake Middle School, to educate and inspire the middle school kids about opportunities for service.  I crossed paths with BMS principal Nat Vaughn this morning at a meeting and mentioned that idea to him, and he liked it.  We agreed that it would be great experience for both the high school students who present and for the middle school students who listen.  I suggested that we try to institutionalize the BMS assembly as an annual part of the youth volunteer of the year process.

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Posted in Schools, Teens, Volunteers

Medfield Youth Action Committee (MYAC)

Posted on February 2, 2012 | Comments Off on Medfield Youth Action Committee (MYAC)

The Medfield Youth Action Committee (MYAC) held its first large public meeting yesterday with community leaders they invited to join them.  The half dozen Medfield High School students announced that they intend to

  1. do fun events, such as dinners and/or dances to promote the community
  2. promote community volunteering opportunities for students
  3. prepare a manual that will explain how to do an event

MYAC members said their first event will be a community wide dinner dance they hope to hold on March 23 at the Dale Street School.  They hope to have the MHS Jazz Band and/or jazz combos perform.

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Posted in Entertainment, Teens