Showing posts with label vaping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vaping. Show all posts

Sunday, January 8, 2023

Did you read the SAFE Coalition message on e-cigarettes?

"E-cigarettes are devices that heat a liquid into an aerosol that the user inhales. The liquid usually has nicotine and flavoring in it, and other additives. The nicotine in e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes is addictive. E-cigarettes are considered tobacco products because most of them contain nicotine, which comes from tobacco.

Besides nicotine, e-cigarettes can contain harmful and potentially harmful ingredients, including: ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs; flavorants such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to serious lung disease; volatile compounds; heavy metals, such as nickel, tin, and lead.

Adolescent years are times of important brain development. Brain development begins during the growth of the fetus in the womb and continues through childhood and to about age 25. Nicotine exposure during adolescence and young adulthood can cause addiction and harm the developing brain.

E-cigarettes are very popular with young people. Their use has grown dramatically in the last five years. Today, more high school students use e-cigarettes than regular cigarettes. The use of e-cigarettes is higher among high school students than adults.

No matter how it’s delivered, nicotine is harmful for youth and young adults. E-cigarettes typically contain nicotine as well as other chemicals that are known to damage health. For example, users risk exposing their respiratory systems to potentially harmful chemicals in e-cigarettes. Read about these and other risks young people face if they use e-cigarettes."

Find out more about the SAFE Coalition online ->   https://www.safecoalitionma.org/

Get Help Now! For Help Call the SAFE Support Hotline: 508-488-8105



Monday, October 11, 2021

Monday, September 27, 2021

Mass. Public Health: Get Outraged! Information on vaping


"Vapes come in all shapes and sizes. But most have one thing in common: nicotine. 
Get Outraged was created to help parents uncover the truth about vaping and keep kids healthy and safe. 
Learn more at https://t.co/FTB7qi7p7f " or  https://www.mass.gov/get-outraged

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/lGO2Vk1W4T

Video link -> https://youtu.be/61qY4ooWWvE


Saturday, May 23, 2020

FM #274 SAFE Coalition - Their Story 5/13/20 (audio)

FM #274 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 274 in the series.

This session shares my conversation with Jim Derick and Jennifer Levine of the SAFE Coalition. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We walked through the development of the Coalition from the first meeting at FHS through to the evolution to where they are now, with a facility in Norfolk and Jen in the role of Executive Director. From what was truly a ‘coalition’ of stakeholders volunteering and making things happen to the newly evolved Board and Executive Director non-profit format to better accomplish their service delivery. And they are continuing to adjust during this pandemic.

Among the topics covered:
  • Recovery is a journey
  • Vaping and addiction cessation
  • Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
  • FHS high school peer-to-peer group
  • Newsletter monthly
  • Fundraising begins in earnest to support the new delivery model
The recording runs about 45 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jim and Jen    Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HyDfPhv7




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Local Resources:
​SAFE Coalition, www.safecoalitionma.org, Franklin, 508-488-8105
​Turning Point Recovery Center, Walpole (508) 668-3960
​Wayside Youth and Family Support, www.waysideyouth.org, Milford, 508-478-6888
​Riverside Community Care, www.riversidecc.org, Milford, 800-294-4665

National Resources:
​Techtogether.co ​​This resource highlights support programs online nationwide

Learn 2 Cope parent peer-to-peer support info@learn2cope.org

Road 2 Recovery - 12 step meeting for parents and loved ones contact Jim Derick vice-president@safecoalitionma.org or jderick50@hotmail.com

Franklin Public Schools Substance Abuse Taskforce https://www.franklinps.net/district/substance-abuse-education


SAFE Coalition supports:
  • Peer to Peer mentorship
  • Peer to Peer parent mentorship
  • Zoom Group Programming:
  • ​Mondays: Learn2Cope
  • ​Wednesdays: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
  • ​Wednesdays: 12 Step for Parents of those with children who are living with an addiction
  • ​Saturdays: Parents general support group
  • Grief Counselor
  • Chaplain
  • Section 35 aid
  • Narcan Training
  • Narcan Dispensing
  • Medication Disposal
  • Vaping education program in partnership with Stanford University
  • Direct clinical counseling in partnership with Wayside Youth and Family Support Systems
  • Referrals to all levels of substance use and mental health treatment
  • One on One care planning
  • Public and Private Consulting
  • Support Line: 508-488-8105

*All services are free of charge. Donations accepted.

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?
  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
  • If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!
------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FM #274 SAFE Coalition - Their Story 5/13/20 (audio)
FM #274 SAFE Coalition - Their Story 5/13/20 (audio)

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

In the News: Early voting underway; 39 state coalition to sue Juul Labs

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"The Daily News is tracking early voting turnout in our largest communities. Here is a day-by-day breakdown of the numbers for Framingham, Franklin, Hopkinton, Natick, Marlborough, Milford, Hudson and Medway. 
Want to vote early this year? Massachusetts allows it, although its convenience could vary based on where you live. 
In an effort to boost voter turnout, early voting first started in 2016. This is first time voting has been allowed during a primary."
In the table for Franklin, there were 253 voters on Monday and 264 voters on Tuesday.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200225/how-many-people-have-voted-early-day-by-day-counts-on-voter-turnout

Early voting sign in the lobby of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central St
Early voting sign in the lobby of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central St

"A coalition of 39 states will look into the marketing and sales of vaping products by Juul Labs, including whether the company targeted youths and made misleading claims about nicotine content in its devices, officials announced Tuesday. 
Attorneys general from Connecticut, Florida, Nevada, Oregon and Texas said they will lead the multi-state investigation into San Francisco-based Juul, which also is facing lawsuits by teenagers and others who say they became addicted to the company’s vaping products. 
The state officials said they also will investigate the company’s claims about the risk, safety and effectiveness of its vaping products as smoking cessation devices. 
“I will not prejudge where this investigation will lead,” Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said in a statement, “but we will follow every fact and are prepared to take strong action in conjunction with states across the nation to protect public health.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20200225/a-world-of-hurt-39-states-to-investigate-juuls-marketing

Saturday, January 4, 2020

"What are you Puffing?" Vaping and Our Youth - Jan 6, 2020


FPS Parent Education Series

Please join us for a workshop on electronic vapor product (EVP) use. 

This event is open to all interested parents, community members and Middle/High School students. Younger students are welcome at parents' discretion. 

We will be providing the latest information on this issue, including resource sharing. This event is facilitated by the Massachusetts Partnership for Youth

Monday, Jan 6, 2020
Franklin High School Auditorium at 6:00 PM

"What are you Puffing?" Vaping and Our Youth - Jan 6, 2020
"What are you Puffing?" Vaping and Our Youth - Jan 6, 2020
This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinps.net/district/news/what-are-you-puffing-vaping-and-our-youth

Friday, December 13, 2019

In the News: new 3-digit number suicide hotline; some marijuana vaping products back on sale

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"Federal regulators are setting up a new three-digit number to reach a suicide prevention hotline in order to make it easier to seek help and reduce the stigma associated with mental health. 
Once it’s implemented, people will just need to dial 988 to seek help, similar to calling 911 for emergencies or 311 for city services. Currently, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline uses a 10-digit number, 800-273-TALK (8255). Callers are routed to one of 163 crisis centers, where counselors answered 2.2 million calls last year. 
A law last year required the Federal Communications Commission to study assigning a three-digit number for suicide prevention. The FCC said in a report that there is overwhelming support for a three-digit number because it would be easier for distressed people to get help. 
Thursday’s vote starts the months-long process to make that happen. The next step is a comment period before the FCC moves to an order."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191212/house-senate-agree-on-541m-surplus-spending-bill


"State marijuana regulators on Thursday eased their ban on vaping product sales, allowing certain types of products to return to store shelves one day after state public health officials backed off a ban on nicotine vape sales. 
As of 2 p.m. Thursday, the Cannabis Control Commission permitted licensed marijuana retailers to sell devices that vaporize marijuana flower for medical marijuana patients and non-medical users, devices that are used to vaporize marijuana concentrate but do not actually contain any marijuana themselves, and vaporizer cartridges that are manufactured beginning Thursday and pass a screening for contaminants like vitamin E acetate. 
Still off-limits are any vaping products manufactured before Thursday that contain marijuana, meaning retailers cannot sell any vape cartridges that they have been holding in quarantine. 
Marijuana vaping products have been unavailable to consumers since September, when Gov. Charlie Baker imposed a temporary ban on the sale of any vaping product amid a national outbreak of vaping-related lung disease, including three deaths in Massachusetts. When a judge ruled the CCC is the only agency that can regulate marijuana vapes, the CCC put in place an indefinite quarantine of all vaping products."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191212/marijuana-vape-sales-can-resume-ccc-declares

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Franklin Public Schools: Two important Announcements


Job opening: Activity Monitors!


Save the Date: Jan 6, 2020


Save the Date: Jan 6, 2020
Save the Date: Jan 6, 2020



https://t.co/D9t3BgBIvR



Saturday, December 7, 2019

“It’s not likely that a single brand is responsible for this outbreak”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"Health officials investigating a nationwide outbreak of vaping illnesses have listed, for the first time, the vape brands most commonly linked to hospitalizations.

Most of the nearly 2,300 people who suffered lung damage had vaped liquids that contain THC, the high-inducing part of marijuana.

In a report released Friday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listed the products most often cited by patients, noting that some of them said they vaped more than one.

Dank Vapes was the brand used by 56% of the hospitalized patients nationwide.

Dank is not a licensed product coming from one business, it is empty packaging that can be ordered from Chinese internet sites. Illicit vaping cartridge makers can buy the empty packages and then fill them with whatever they choose."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20191206/officials-list-pot-vape-brands-reported-in-us-outbreak/1

Bold text added by Franklin Matters. This confirms the conversation shared at FHS PCC meeting where the panel reviewed the vaping issue. That audio recording is available for replay anytime.
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/11/fm-182-fhs-pcc-everything-you-need-to.html
 
Additional information can be found on the CDC page
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html


“It’s not likely that a single brand is responsible for this outbreak”
“It’s not likely that a single brand is responsible for this outbreak”

Friday, November 22, 2019

FM #182 - FHS PCC - "Everything You Need to Know"

FM #182

This internet radio show or podcast is number 182 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This recording shares the Franklin High School PCC meeting on Monday, November 18, 2019. A panel discussion on vaping was on the agenda and recorded for sharing with the community who could not participate in person. 

Franklin TV did record the session as well and it will be shared on the local cable channels. When the schedule is confirmed for those re-broadcasts, we’ll share that.

The panel members were
  • Jennifer Knight-Levine, President of the SAFE Coalition
  • Lieutenant Mark Manocchio, Franklin Police Dept
  • James J. Ledwith Jr., MD, FAAFP

The recording of the discussion itself runs approx xx minutes. The PCC meeting portion was edited out of this broadcast.

Without further ado, here is the vaping panel discussion
https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HstVTxsX



Resources mentioned by Jennifer:

Resources that Dr Ledwith mentioned:
  • MCPAP” is the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Project. It provides consultation between the PCP and an expert in pediatric and adolescent psychiatry within 30 minutes of a phone call, Monday through Friday. In 2003 a pilot program was developed at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester. Enthusiastically received, in 2004 the Department of Mental Health and Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership adapted the model to be implemented statewide. Over 30 states have since developed similar programs based on the MCPAP model. https://www.mcpap.com/About/OverviewVisionHistory.aspx
  • MCSTAP” is the Massachusetts Consultation Service on Treatment of Addiction and Pain, set in action in January 2019. It provides similar consultations for physicians on the management of addictions and complex pain conditions based on the MCPAP model. Consultants are on call to advise treating physicians on effective treatment approaches and to provide resources for ongoing care of their patients. https://www.mcstap.com/About/About.aspx
  • The newest service is “ASAP-MCPAP” is the Adolescent Substance Abuse Program within MCPAP. The program will specifically provide guidance on the management of substance use concerns in teenagers. The program will be formally announced in the next few weeks but the MCPAP office is already gearing up to assist health care providers.
  • MBHP” is the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership, an organization funded by contracts and grants from the state and insurance plans to develop and manage these programs.

Institute for Health and Recovery  http://www.healthrecovery.org/

FM #182 - FHS PCC - "Everything You Need to Know"
FM #182 - FHS PCC - "Everything You Need to Know"

-------------


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can always use your help.

How can you help?

Overall:
  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
  • If you don't like this, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.
Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------


You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Thursday, November 14, 2019

FHS - PCC - VAPING: Everything You Need to Know - Nov 18

2. VAPING: Everything You Need to Know
We are pleased to have in attendance Jennifer Knight-Levine President of the SAFE Coalition*, Franklin Police Sergeant Spillane and a representative from the Medical Profession to have an open discussion regarding teenagers and vaping.
As mentioned by Principal Paul Peri there has been an increase in vaping related incidents in school. We will have an open dialog discussing vaping, Sergeant Spillane will share what is being observed at the school and share samples of recent vaping devices that have been confiscated and hear from a medical professional about the dangerous side effects of vaping and what doctors are seeing in today’s youth.



FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL PCC
MEETING AGENDA

November 18, 2019
FHS Media Center 7:00 PM

Download a copy of the full agenda document

FHS - PCC - VAPING: Everything You Need to Know - Nov 18
FHS - PCC - VAPING: Everything You Need to Know - Nov 18

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Tri-County to Host Community Forum on Vaping Epidemic - Nov 19

Students at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School will host a community forum next week highlighting the worsening teen vaping epidemic, with a panel of local experts who will discuss health, legal, and scholastic effects of vaping and vaping legislation.

The sophomore class of the Legal and Protective Services (LPS) career program will host the panel, “Inhaling the Facts: A Panel of Experts on the Vaping Epidemic” on Tuesday November 19 at 6 PM. The event is free and open to the public.

With the recent acknowledgement of vaping as a public health crisis and Governor Charlie Baker’s temporary ban on all vaping products statewide, students in the LPS career program have done extensive research on the matter, as it affects young people in their community. LPS students have learned about the known and suspected health risks of vaping, as well as the misinformation of products that are not regulated by the FDA.

State Representative Shawn Dooley, Dr. Lester Hartman of Westwood-Mansfield Pediatrics, Officer Paul Guarino of the Franklin Police Department, and Mary Ellen Bronner, a licensed social worker, will address the legislative and health issues related to vaping.

“In my opinion, this event will be successful if parents walk away feeling more educated about the vaping epidemic,” Teaghan LeBlanc, a sophomore at Tri-County said. “I hope that if middle schoolers learn the facts about vaping, they'll begin to realize that not vaping is their best option.”

“Teen vaping is currently at crisis levels in our Commonwealth. Teen smoking levels had reached an all-time low, but now we are seeing off-the-charts teen vaping. We must make sure we respond to this crisis swiftly but also thoughtfully and appropriately. Events like this panel are key to starting the dialogue, getting to the root of the problem, and ultimately establishing a smart, sensical policy to combat the issue,” said Representative Dooley.

Students in the LPS program are committed to public service, and the students wanted to reach out to the community with the information they have gathered in hopes of preventing younger students from picking up the habit.



What: Teen Vaping Expert Panel and Community Forum

Where: Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School, 147 Pond St, Franklin, MA 02038

When: Tuesday, November 19 at 6 PM

Who: 
  • State Representative Shawn Dooley
  • Dr. Lester Hartman, Westwood-Mansfield Pediatrics
  • Officer Paul Guarino, Franklin Police Department
  • Mary Ellen Bronner, licensed social worker

Download a copy of this announcement
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczN0xiTDY1WU5TR2dvVXJMUDJudkd1T2VGMWhZ/view?usp=sharing
 
 
Tri-County to Host Community Forum on Vaping Epidemic - Nov 19
Tri-County to Host Community Forum on Vaping Epidemic - Nov 19