Vaping the topic of upcoming program for Franklin Regional parents
Addiction has a new look, according to Franklin Regional officials, and they want parents to have the latest information.
The school district, in cooperation with the Murrysville Police Department, the St. Vincent Prevention Project, Outside In and the Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission, will present an educational program on vaping: “The New Look of Addiction – What Every Parent Needs to Know” on April 23.
The 7 p.m. presentation will include a mock-up of a child’s bedroom in the high school library where parents can learn how to identify hiding places for vaping materials and other items. At 7:30 p.m., the formal presentation will begin in the auditorium at Franklin Regional Senior High School, 3210 School Road in Murrysville.
“Our goal is to educate parents and community members on the latest trends in vaping and drug use,” said Cara Zanella, Franklin Regional director of development and communications. “Use of e-cigarettes is on the rise across the nation. Teens and parents need to know the health and legal risks associated with these behaviors.
The presentation will focus on teen vaping and illegal and prescription drug use. Topics will include: what vaping devices look like, how the devices and drugs can be concealed, the health issues connected with vaping and drug use and how to get your child help.
The evening will wrap up with an opportunity for visitors to tour the child’s mock bedroom.
No registration is required and the presentation is free and open to the public.
“Our hope is that parents walk away with new knowledge, an understanding of the health issues surrounding these trends, legal implications of underage vaping and drug use, and helpful resources that can assist those going through addiction and even nicotine withdrawal,” Zanella said.
In addition to the presentation and mock child’s bedroom tour, there will be experts on hand to speak one-on-one with parents to address their individual concerns as well as examples of the latest street drugs, vaping materials and resource materials for addiction and recovery.
Murrysville Medic One officials said they have not responded to any emergency calls related to vaping.
Patrick Varine is a TribLive reporter covering Delmont, Export and Murrysville. He is a Western Pennsylvania native and joined the Trib in 2010 after working as a reporter and editor with the former Dover Post Co. in Delaware. He can be reached at pvarine@triblive.com.
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