A presentation for parents and caregivers throughout the region, focusing on the impact of teen vaping and marijuana use, was held at CV High School on May 31. The event covered topics including current trends, signs of use, prevention strategies, and effective ways to speak with your children.

Maria Fabrizi, Drug-Free Communities Coordinator for the Broome County Mental Health Department, shared ways that marketing tactics target younger users, how to identify behavioral and physical changes that could indicate substance use, the impact that using these substances can have on adolescents, and ways to foster open conversations about this topic with your child.

Jessica Steinborn, a Lourdes Ascension Behavioral Counselor, also spoke on the importance of helping adolescents to regulate their emotions in safer ways and equipping all teens with credible facts so they can make healthier decisions. She noted that increased usage is an issue at both local and broader scales.

Thank you to Maria and Jessica for sharing this insightful presentation. If you were not able to attend, but have questions or would like more information, here are a few resources: