Dr. Lester Hartman discusses the dangers of juuling and vape addiction at Medway’s vaping awareness program on Jan. 13. (Photo Courtesy Medway Public Schools)
MEDWAY — Superintendent Armand Pires and Director of Wellness Dr. Ryan Sherman are pleased to share that the school held a successful vaping awareness program for parents earlier this week.
On Monday, Jan. 13, Medway Middle School hosted Vaping: Keeping Your Child Safe and Hidden in Plain Sight, presented by Medway T.H.R.I.V.E and the SAFE Coalition. Parents and students were invited to attend the event together.
The school also held a vaping awareness presentation for seventh and eighth-grade students earlier in the day.
“We appreciate all of the parents that took time out of their busy day to come and learn more about the dangers vaping poses to their teens,” said Dr. Sherman. “The parents that attended got the opportunity to learn more about this epidemic and ask questions of a certified healthcare professional. We look forward to the subsequent conversations within our district that will follow this informational program.”
The event began with an interactive exhibit, Hidden in Plain Sight, hosted by the SAFE Coalition. Members of the SAFE Coalition led parents throughout the exhibit and conducted a subsequent question and answer session. The exhibit featured a mock set-up of a teen’s bedroom to offer adults insight into what drug paraphernalia teens may be hiding in their rooms.
Following the exhibit, parents were invited to listen to Dr. Lester Hartman of Boston Children’s Hospital and Westwood-Mansfield Pediatrics present about the dangers of Juuling and the risk vaping poses to teens’ health.
In his presentation, Dr. Hartman discussed with parents how vape products can be appealing to teens. Throughout the presentation, he showed parents the latest devices that will be introduced or have already entered the market. He also shared information and the statistics surrounding vaping and the effects it has on individuals’ health.
About Medway T.H.R.I.V.E.:
Medway T.H.R.I.V.E. (Tools for Health, Resiliency, Inclusiveness, Vitality and Empowerment) is a committee dedicated to providing wellness-related, family enrichment opportunities to the Medway community. T.H.R.I.V.E. is comprised of a cross-sectional group of Medway Public School administrators, teachers and staff, as well as numerous parent representatives.
About SAFE Coalition:
SAFE is a regional coalition of community partners in Western Norfolk County (serving Franklin, Foxboro, Mansfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, Plainville, Walpole, Wrentham and surrounding towns) who have come together to provide a pathway for support, education, treatment options and coping mechanisms for those affected by substance use disorder. We do so by empowering those affected, including their families, with the tools necessary to succeed on their journey to recovery. We understand that while I can’t, we can.
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