For Immediate Release

Friday, Jan. 26, 2018

Contact: Jessica Sacco
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: jessica@jgpr.net

Whittier Tech Students and Staff Attend Interactive Presentation on Marijuana

“Weeding Through The Myths” Provides Information on Smoking, Vaping, Side Effects and More”

HAVERHILL – Superintendent Maureen Lynch announces that students and staff attended an interactive presentation on marijuana and its health effects in anticipation of recreational retail locations opening later this year.

On Tuesday, Jan. 23, as part of health class, 130 freshmen, sophomores and juniors walked through a series of stations set up in the auditorium outlining facts on marijuana and related substances, like nicotine. Staff also had the opportunity to view the exhibit Wednesday afternoon.

To serve as a guide through the stations, health teachers handed out a scavenger hunt, where students were asked to answer questions like, what states have legalized the use of recreational marijuana, what are three health or safety risks associated with the use of marijuana and what are three things someone can do to reduce stress without turning to the use of substances?

“A lot of students are aware of the uses of marijuana, but seeing the numbers around when students start using and the health problems that it causes is eye-opening,” said junior Ally O’Connor, of West Newbury.

The last station featured a variety of mindfulness items that are designed to promote relaxation without substance use. This includes adult coloring, yoga and even peacock feathers that students tested out balancing in their hands to centralize their focus.

“Everything was really well received by students and staff,” Health Teacher Roxanne Grover said. “We wanted to provide an opportunity to clear up any misinformation that might be out there and offer healthy ways to deal with stress and anxiety that people may not have realized are available to them.”

Advisers of Whittier’s Above the Influence programs organized the “Weeding Through The Myths” workshop and South Shore Health System provided the information stations.

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