In the last year there has been an increase in copycat edibles - meaning, candy that looks almost exactly like a popular branded candy or snack, except that it also contains THC (the substance in marijuana that produces the high).
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One of my childhood friends just lost his 22-year-old son to an accidental fentanyl overdose – accidental because when he took the pill, he had no idea it contained fentanyl. At the funeral, another friend said this was the sixth similar fentanyl death among families they know.
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Below are a collection of “copycat edibles” (there are more, this is just a selection from reliable sources). These are THC edibles created in packaging intended to look like regular snacks. People may not be able to tell the difference at a glance. It’s also very important to know that these items have high concentrations of THC, and may be laced with other substances, like fentanyl.
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We recently watched this webinar hosted by KNOW2PREVENT, and found it to be very informative, in particular in it's balanced look at the issues. Please click through for a recording of the webinar, as well as the presentation slides. You can’t prevent what you don’t know. . .
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During this interactive program for adults, participants are invited to explore a mock teen bedroom set up with over 30 items related to drug and alcohol use to see if they can identify them. Hidden In Plain Sight is a presentation of Student Assistance Services of Westchester County and this local Pelham event is co-hosted with Pelham Together.
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In the last year there has been an increase in copycat edibles - meaning, candy that looks almost exactly like a popular branded candy or snack, except that it also contains THC (the substance in marijuana that produces the high).
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As a junior in high school, I have sat through many assemblies covering topics varying from Halloween safety to social media addiction. Students crowd together in the gym or the auditorium and, oftentimes, only half-listen to the speaker. Once we file out of the room and find our friends, we discuss which classes we got to miss. Most of these assemblies have blended together in my mind, and I can’t tell one from the other.
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On Monday October 5, 2021, Chris Herren, former professional basketball player, author, and wellness advocate, spoke to the Pelham community about how to support our youth in making healthy and safe choices. Herren, who has dedicated his life to substance abuse prevention education, has impacted millions through his 2019 documentary The First Day, and his travels to schools and professional sports teams around the country.
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On October 5, 2021, former NBA star, Chris Herren, spoke to all 9th - 12th graders at PMHS about substance abuse, self-esteem, and taking care of one another. The night before, Chris addressed the Pelham community with a related message of overcoming adversity and challenging parents to “ask why” if their children come home high. Click here for an article by the Pelham Examiner covering the student assembly.
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Detective John Hynes from the Village of Pelham Police Department shares information on the Westchester County Social Host Law with the Pelham Together Advisory Board.
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Especially during the pandemic, it can be hard to tell what is typical teen behavior and when it would be beneficial to see a professional. For suggestions on places to look for help in answering this question, inside Pelham schools and outside, read more here.
Read More"The sense you want to give is, your child does not have permission to do this." We know from national studies and what our own Pelham teens say, parental disapproval is the #1 deterrent to substance use. Read article.
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On October 17, 2019, Pelham Together hosted a screening of The First Day, a documentary that follows Chris Herren, a former McDonald’s All-American and professional basketball player, as he addresses high school audiences about his early drinking, struggles with self-esteem, eventual substance addiction, and journey to recovery. Chris talks openly about how alcohol affected his family life while growing up, the effect it had on him, and how he wishes he had made different choices about substance use from an early age.
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October 15, 2019 - Pelham, NY – Pelham Together coordinated a student health survey of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders to monitor youth substance use and mental health and wellness. Partnering with Pelham Public Schools and Dr. Suniya Luthar, a noted developmental psychologist and renowned expert in youth resilience who has focused her most recent research on outcomes for children in high achieving schools, Pelham Together is releasing the findings report to help drive future programming.
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Our last article discussed how to use science to talk to our teens about vaping. This infographic is very useful—the brain develops from back to front, leaving the reasoning part of the brain for last and the most susceptible to substances. To read the full article on Partnership for Drug Free Kids, click here.
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Dr. Luthar was in Pelham last June to talk about the results of Pelham’s youth health study. She told us then that “high achievement culture” was now considered a risk factor contributing to youth substance use, rule-breaking, anxiety and depression. Now it’s making its rounds in the news.
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Our recent survey tells us that 13% of Pelham teens have vaped in the last 30 days, with 30% of our 12th graders having done so. We need to stay on top of this epidemic for our kids. https://buff.ly/2MLNSnh
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Marijuana use is on the rise, particularly via vaping. More states are legalizing marijuana for adults, but the Surgeon General says the dangers of use among teens are increasing. Read here to learn more. . .
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Check out this free Family Workshop for those with someone who is struggling with addiction.
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Communities across the country are learning more about youth substance use as they complete student surveys.
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