New Lenox, Lincoln-Way Host Vaping Forum

NEW LENOX, IL — The village of New Lenox and its Safe Communities America Coalition, in partnership with Lincoln-Way School District 210, will host a forum, “VAPING: Understanding the Hazards and Risks.”

The event will be held 7 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 14, in the auditorium at Lincoln-Way West High School, 21701 Gougar Road, New Lenox.

The village said Mayor Tim Baldermann will provide opening remarks for the event. Following Baldermann's opening remarks, the featured panelists are:

• Dr. Aaron Weiner, PhD – Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Director of Addiction Services at Linden Oaks Behavioral Health
• Alpesh Patel – Epidemiologist, Will County Health Department
• Ruby Johnson – Parent of teen hospitalized with vaping-related illness

The village said attendees will learn of the hazards and risks related to vaping. In addition, the panelists will:

• Discuss the types of vaping that teens and adults are doing. Examples of devices will be on hand for parents to look at.
• Share personal stories about those affected by lung illness associated with vaping.
• Provide Will County and state of Illinois statistical data regarding lung illness cases associated with vaping.
• Share information about what health departments are doing about this epidemic.
• Share information regarding proposed Illinois legislation.
• Share prevention strategies for teens who are vaping.

The village said the Will County Health Department, Linden Oaks Behavioral Health, and the Heroin Epidemic Relief Organization will have informational tables set up for guests to visit. These organizations will have information and literature on vaping from 6:30 to 7 p.m. in the atrium just outside the auditorium.