FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER Vol. 5 TEEN VAPING

Working Together Making the Greater Five Towns A Drug-Free Community

PLEASE NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO FEBRUARY COALITION MEETING

NEXT COALITION MEETING PLEASE NOTE CHANGE IN MARCH MEETING DAY & DATE SCHEDULE TO WEDNESDAY MARCH 18, 2019 7:15 pm - 8:30 pm The Marion & Aaron Gural JCC 207 Grove Avenue Cedarhurst, NY 11516 RSVP (516) 569-6733 (Ext. 215)

PARENT ACADEMY

GET THE FACTS ON E-CIGARETTE USE AMONG YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS

E . E-cigarette use among both youth and young adults has increased considerably in recent years. About 1/4 of U.S. youth and young adults have tried e-cigarettes.

More High School Students Are Currently Using E-cigarettes

68% - of e-cigarette users in high school use flavors.

E-cigarette use poses a significant – and avoidable – health risk to young people in the United States. Besides increasing the possibility of addiction and long-term harm to brain development and respiratory health, e-cigarette use is associated with the use of other tobacco products that can do even more damage to the body. E-cigarettes and Brain Development Adolescence is a critical period for brain development. Nicotine may cause addiction and can harm the adolescent's developing brain. This video underscores the health risks for teens. Brain Risks The part of the brain that's responsible for decision making and impulse control is not yet fully developed during adolescence. Young people are more likely to take risks with their health and safety, including use of nicotine and other drugs. Youth and young adults are also uniquely at risk for long-term, long-lasting effects of exposing their developing brains to nicotine.  These risks include nicotine addiction, mood disorders, and permanent lowering of impulse control. Nicotine also changes the way synapses are formed, which can harm the parts of the brain that control attention and learning. Addiction How does the nicotine in e-cigarettes affect the brain? Each time a new memory is created or a new skill is learned, stronger connections – or synapses – are built between brain cells. Young people's brains build synapses faster than adult brains. Because addiction is a form of learning, adolescents can get addicted more easily than adults. The nicotine in e-cigarettes and other tobacco products can also prime the adolescent brain for addiction to other drugs such as cocaine.

For further information about how you can join our Community Coalition to help reduce youth drug and alcohol use in the Greater Five Towns and to help Save Lives - please contact Susan Blauner, Director Substance Abuse Prevention, Awareness and Education P: 516.659-6733 E: susan.blauner@guraljcc.org

"bringing about community awareness to address youth mental health and addiction issues and to reduce youth drug and alcohol use through education, media advocacy, increased enforcement and changes in policies."