In an effort to educate the LT community about the science behind vaping and addiction, psychologist Dr. Aaron Weiner will be giving a presentation in the SC library on Nov. 6 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. 

The presentation, organized by the Coalition for a Safe and Healthy LT, will go over key information about nicotine vaping and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), highlighting how addiction develops in teens and how it affects the adolescent brain, Weiner said. It will specifically address the strategies marketing companies use to direct these products to young people, as well as give advice on what parents and students can do to have productive conversations with each other on the subject.

“I think it’s really critical that we’re clear-eyed about it, that people understand the impact of these chemicals on the developing brain,” Weiner said.  “It’s really important information for folks to know so that they can make decisions that are right for them, or, in parents’ cases, that better help their kids.”

Although this event is predominantly aimed toward parents, students are not at all discouraged from attending, Weiner said.  Attendees are asked to sign up in advance—through a link that has been embedded within a recent principal communication email—but anyone is welcome to come.

“Anyone would get a lot out of it,” Weiner said.  “There’s a pretty large gap between what folks think they know about vaping, marijuana, THC, cannabis, and what we actually know in research and science and medicine, and being able to bridge that gap can be very useful.”

Principal Jennifer Tyrrell, who worked closely alongside the Coalition to coordinate the presentation, hopes that it will help better inform LT parents about the issue of vaping so they can more effectively assist their children in making healthy decisions.

“Vaping is something that has been on the rise locally and nationally over the last few years,” Tyrrell said.  “Education is an important component when we think about reducing vaping instances within our school and community.”

Weiner, who has spoken at LT about the topic of drugs and addiction multiple times previously, agrees.

“We can’t just treat our way out of the problems we have in society with addiction; there’s too many people struggling, and there’s also this constant pipeline of people who are being brought into the problem,” Weiner said.  “I think it’s only going to get worse without education so that folks can make different choices.”