District Questions

Quitting can be hard, but you are not alone!  Please reach out to a trusted adult at school or at home for help.  

The National Institute on Drug Abuse offers lots of information on treatment and recovery.   Why are drugs so hard to quit?  Addiction is a disease of the brain and it can happen to anyone.  

You can call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) at any time to find drug treatment centers near you. 

There are lots of people at school who want to help you!  School Adjustment Counselors, School Psychologists, School Nurses, Guidance Counselors, and Principals are all available to support your needs.  Please reach out in person to any of these people at school, or by using the contact information in the list here.

A vape pen is made up of various parts:

• Battery - the energy source that powers the atomizer
• Atomizer - heating element that heats the liquid
• E-liquid - sometimes called e-juice, this is put into the device and often contains flavors and/or nicotine
• Cartridge - tank that holds the liquid and may also hold the atomizer
• Aerosol - heating liquid inside of the device creates an aerosol that is inhaled into the body and out into the air

According to the Surgeon General and the CDC, "E-cigarettes or vape pens 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 organic compounds 
• heavy metals, such as nickel, tin, and lead"

More facts regarding e-cigarettes and vapes can be found at Know the Risks.

You should talk to a trusted adult at home about how you are feeling and together contact your primary care provider or therapist, and/or call 911.  If you feel you need immediate help and an adult is not available to help, you should call 911, be honest about what you are feeling and ask for help.

For a non-emergency crisis, some options are:

• National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) or 1-800-442-HOPE (4673) or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text "TALK" to 741741 Toll-free, 24-hour, confidential hotlines which connect you to a trained counselor at the nearest suicide crisis center.

• Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255  This hotline connects callers to trained crisis counselors. Their website is a 24-hour confidential hotline that offers details on how to call if you need help and how to identify suicide warning signs.

• The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 or text "START" to 678678  The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.

There are lots of people at school who want to help!  School Adjustment Counselors, School Psychologists, School Nurses, Guidance Counselors, and Principals are all available to support your needs.  Please reach out in person to any of these people at school, or by using the contact information in the list here.

The National Suicide Prevention Hotline recognizes that, "The LGBTQ+ community is diverse and strong, but may be disproportionately at-risk for suicidal feelings and other mental health struggles because of the discrimination and prejudice they too often are up against." Their website provides lots of information and resources for the LGBTQ+ community.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that "The fact that it’s legal* does not mean that it is safe. Using marijuana at an early age can lead to negative health consequences.

• Heavy marijuana use (daily or near-daily) can do damage to memory, learning, and attention, which can last a week or more after the last time someone used.
• Using marijuana during pregnancy or while breastfeeding may harm the baby, just like alcohol or tobacco.
• Marijuana use has been linked to anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia, but scientists don’t yet know whether it directly causes these diseases.
• Smoking any product, including marijuana, can damage your lungs and cardiovascular system."

*Marijuana use of ANY kind is illegal for people under 21 years of age in Massachusetts.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, marijuana can have many negative health effects.

Addiction - About 1 in 10 marijuana users will become addicted. For people who begin using before the age of 18, that number rises to 1 in 6

Brain - Marijuana use directly affects the brain — specifically the parts of the brain responsible for memory, learning, attention, decision making, coordination, emotions, and reaction time

Heart - Using marijuana makes the heart beat faster. It could also lead to increased risk of stroke and heart disease.

Lungs -  Smoked marijuana, in any form, can harm lung tissues and cause scarring and damage to small blood vessels.

Mental health - Marijuana use, especially frequent (daily or near daily) use and use in high doses, can cause disorientation, and sometimes cause unpleasant thoughts or feelings of anxiety and paranoia.

Poisoning - Edibles, or food and drink products infused with marijuana and eaten, have some different risks than smoking marijuana, including a greater risk of poisoning.

According to the Surgeon General, "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. Even breathing e-cigarette aerosol that someone else has exhaled poses potential health risks."

For details about effects on the brain and the risk of addiction, go to Know the Facts.

Quitting vapes or other tobacco products can be hard. Here are some ways to help find the support you need:

• This is Quitting powered by truth®is a free and confidential texting program for young people who vape. Text “VapeFreeMass” to 88709.  In partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
• My Life, My Quit ^TM has youth coach specialists trained to help young people by phone or text. Young people can call or text "Start My Quit" to 855-891-9989 for free and confidential help or sign up online at mylifemyquit.com.
• Visit teen.smokefree.gov for tools and tips.
• You can ask your school nurse or counselor, athletic coach, doctor, parent or other trusted adult for help.
• For more information, you can visit mass.gov/vaping.

According to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, "Some warning signs may help you determine if a loved one is at risk for suicide, especially if the behavior is new, has increased, or seems related to a painful event, loss, or change. If you or someone you know exhibits any of these, seek help by calling the Lifeline."

• Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
• Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
• Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Withdrawing or isolating themselves
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
• Extreme mood swings

Peer pressure, or feeling like you need to "join the crowd" in order to fit in, can be difficult to deal with!  Some ideas for dealing with peer pressure are below:

• Blame your parents! - Use your parents' rules as an excuse to get out of a situation or say "no" when feeling pressured to join in on vaping or other behaviors that you do not feel comfortable with.  Say something like, "my parents will never let me out of the house again if they find out I did that, and my parents always find out!".
• Choose friends who support you - Although it might feel like it sometimes, you are not the only one who does not want to give in to peer pressure.  Choose friends who are like-minded and respect your choices and spend time with them instead of with people who pressure you to do things you are not comfotable with.
• Just say NO - Although it can be hard to do, it does get easier with practice.  Try saying, "no, thanks", "no, I'm not into that sort of thing" or "thanks, but I can't".
• Stand up for others - Remember that is just as hard for others to resist peer pressure as it is for you, so if you see someone else being pressured, step in to stop the pressure or help get the person away from the situation by suggesting something that moves them away ("Let's go over there and say hi to Jerry.", or "Let's go watch the game." ).

You should talk to a trusted adult.  It can be tempting to try to handle the situation yourself, but it is always best to involve an adult who can help you think through the situation.

If you are worried that someone may hurt themself or someone else, you need to tell a trusted adult at school or at home as soon as possible.  If you are worried that there is immediate danger and there is not an adult available to talk to, do not wait, call 911 to get help.  

Knowing how to get help for someone posting suicidal messages on social media can save a life. Many social media sites have a process to report suicidal content and get help for the person posting the message.  A list of contacts to alert various social media sites can be found at helplinecenter.org.

Peer pressure, or feeling like you need to "join the crowd" in order to fit in, can be difficult to deal with!  Some ideas for dealing with peer pressure are below:

• Blame your parents! - Use your parents' rules as an excuse to get out of a situation or say "no" when feeling pressured to join in on vaping or other behaviors that you do not feel comfortable with.  Say something like, "my parents will never let me out of the house again if they find out I did that, and my parents always find out!".
• Choose friends who support you - Although it might feel like it sometimes, you are not the only one who does not want to give in to peer pressure.  Choose friends who are like-minded and respect your choices and spend time with them instead of with people who pressure you to do things you are not comfotable with.
• Just say NO - Although it can be hard to do, it does get easier with practice.  Try saying, "no, thanks", "no, I'm not into that sort of thing" or "thanks, but I can't".
• Stand up for others - Remember that is just as hard for others to resist peer pressure as it is for you, so if you see someone else being pressured, step in to stop the pressure or help get the person away from the situation by suggesting something that moves them away ("Let's go over there and say hi to Jerry.", or "Let's go watch the game." ).

The Centers for Disease Control provide the following information regarding "edibles":

"Because marijuana contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), there are health risks associated with using marijuana regardless of the how it is used. Some of these negative effects include having difficulty thinking and problem-solving, having problems with memory, learning and maintaining attention and demonstrating impaired coordination. Additionally, frequent use can lead to becoming addicted to marijuana. However, some risks may differ by the way it is used.

"Smoke from marijuana contains many of the same toxins, irritants, and carcinogens as tobacco smoke. Smoking marijuana can lead to a greater risk of bronchitis, cough, and phlegm production. Whereas, edibles, which take longer to digest, take longer to produce an effect. Therefore, people may consume more to feel the effects faster. This may lead to people consuming very high doses and result in negative effects like anxiety, paranoia and, in rare cases, an extreme psychotic reaction (e.g. delusions, hallucinations, talking incoherently, and agitation)."

Marijuana use of ANY kind is illegal for people under 21 years of age in Massachusetts.

There are many quick, simple things you can do to decrease anxiety and stress.  A few are listed here:

• Exercise - There is lots of research that shows that exercise is good for your mind as well as your body. Taking a short walk, run or even dancing to your favorite music is a great way to reduce stress in the moment. A regular exercise routine can have positive effects on both mental and physical health.
• Spend time with family, friends, or pets - Positive social connections can help you feel supported and less stressed. If you choose to spend time with friends, be sure to choose people who you can trust when sharing your feelings. Pets can also be a source of comfort, particularly during times of stress.
• Take a break - If you are feeling stressed about homework or studying, it can be helpful to take a short break from the stressor.  This can often give you a fresh perspective when you return to the task.  You can use some of the strategies listed here during your break!
• Deep breathing - Instead of taking the quick, shallow breaths that often accompany stress and anxiety, try taking slow deep breaths through your nose that fill your lungs and expand your belly.  Next, hold your breath in for a second or two and then slowly release your breath through your mouth. Repeat 3-5 times or until you feel an increased sense of calm.
• Mindfulness - This doesn't mean spending hours meditating (although that can help too!).  Instead, take a mindful moment. Use the deep breathing technique above and focus your thoughts on your breathing, then slowly begin to notice how your body is feeling, what your senses are noticing about sights, sounds, smells, etc.  If your mind starts to race or wander, re-focus on your breathing.
• Gratitude - Writing down what you are grateful for is a great way to refocus your thoughts and remember the positive things and people that are part of your life.
• Smile or laugh - Laughter really can be the best medicine!  Take a minute to focus on something that makes you happy:) Looking at or drawing motivational statements or images, looking at something funny such as movies, tv shows, memes or books can help shift your mindset away from the worry.
• Create a distraction for your mind - Try taking your mind off the problem for a while. Activities such as doing puzzles, crafts, baking, reading books, doing crossword or Sodoku puzzles, watching funny movies, or seeking out positive websites or sources of information might be helpful and give you a new perspective on the problem.

There are lots of people at school who want to help you!  School Adjustment Counselors, School Psychologists, School Nurses, Guidance Counselors, and Principals are all available to support your needs.  Please reach out in person to any of these people at school, or by using the contact information in the list here.

If you have difficulty managing stress and it impedes your ability to carry out your normal daily activities (like getting to school on time or participating in your regular activities), talking to a supportive adult can help. It’s important to learn to identify your triggers and responses and find strategies that work for you. School Adjustment Counselors, School Psychologists, School Nurses, Guidance Counselors, and Principals are all available to support your needs.

There are lots of people at school who want to support you!  School Adjustment Counselors, School Psychologists, School Nurses, Guidance Counselors, and Principals are all available to support your needs.  Please reach out in person to any of these people at school, or by using the contact information in the list here (add link to school supports section here)

When a friend shares information with you that is concerning, it can be stressful and leave you wondering what to do.  Listen to what they are telling you without judging them.  Tell your friend that you are concerned about what they shared with you and suggest that your friend go with you to talk to a trusted adult at school or home.  If they are not willing to do that, you should go talk to an adult by yourself.  It can be tempting to try to handle the situation yourself, but it is always best to involve an adult who can help you and your friend think through the situation.

If you are worried that your friend may hurt themself or someone else, you need to tell a trusted adult at school or at home as soon as possible.  If you are worried that there is immediate danger and there is not an adult available to talk to, do not wait, call 911 to get help.  

Details regarding policies related to the use or posession of illicit drugs, including marijuana, can be found in the SHS Student Handboook - Code of Conduct, the Oak Middle School Student Handook - Code of Conduct, and the Sherwood Middle School Student Handbook - Substance Abuse Policy.

Section 37H of the Education Reform Bill states clearly that there is a prohibition of the use of any tobacco products within the school buildings, school facilities, on the school grounds or on the school buses by any individual, including all students and school personnel.

If you see another student vaping at school, please speak to a trusted adult at school and provide specific details as soon as possible.