Medina school will host awareness program about dangers of vaping on Jan. 18

‘Vaping is the number one issue we are dealing with’ – GCASA prevention educator

Provided photo: Thomas Forrestel (Medina Junior/Senior High School Dean of Students), Diana Fulcomer (Prevention Educator at GCASA) and Julie Webber (Medina CSD Director of Curriculum and Instruction) promote a vaping awareness program on Jan. 18.

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – “A big concern among our educators at the Junior/Senior High School and parents is vaping,” said Julie Webber, Medina’s director of curriculum and instruction.

The use of e-cigarettes is unsafe for everyone because it contains nicotine and it is highly addictive. They can also contain other harmful substances besides nicotine.

“We saw the problem as being a great opportunity to partner with GCASA and educate parents on the signs their children are vaping,” she said.

Diana Fulcomer, prevention educator with Genesee Council on Alcohol and Substance Abuse, told Webber she had the perfect interactive program that they could offer to anyone in the community who would like to attend.

“Vaping is the number one issue we are dealing with,” said Fulcomer. “E-cigarettes have been in the US since 2007 and marketed as a safer or better alternative to the traditional cigarette. In 2016, the FDA( Food and Drug Administration) began regulating these products. At that time consumers still thought they were safer than tobacco. That is not the case at all. These companies are targeting our youth, which is easy because we are all enticed by anything that is new and innovative. We still don’t have all the research and the information we have shows that they are dangerous. Not only because of the possible nicotine addiction, but because some students are cannabis vaping as well.”

The community is invited to the Mustang Parent Academy’s Hidden Mischief: Unlock the Vape Mystery from 6 to 7 p.m. on Jan. 18 in the Junior/Senior High School Auditorium, located at 2 Mustang Drive in Medina.

This program is designed to create an awareness of current vaping trends and of ways youth conceal these devices or use everyday items for drug use. The interactive youth bedroom will give each participant an opportunity to search and find vaping paraphernalia, devices and drug references.

Each participant will learn how everyday items can be converted to hide or use drugs such as nicotine or marijuana.  In addition, it will create an awareness of the possibilities of how easy these items can be purchased over the internet or at local vendors.

Refreshments will be provided free of charge and childcare will be available for ages 4-12 years of age. Transportation can be provided if needed. Call to reserve a spot at 585-798-2700, option 4.

“Prevention is the key,” Fulcomer said.  “The more education parents have on the dangers, the better.  We will also show how to start an open conversation with your child about this topic.”

For those who cannot attend the training, but would like more information, contact Diana Fulcomer at dfulcomer@gcasa.org or dfulcomer@medinacsd.org.