PACT Biannual Coalition Meeting Set for March 18, 7pm, Pelham Jewish Center

PACT Biannual Coalition Meeting March 18 to Focus on Preventing Marijuana Use Amongst Pelham Youth

Marijuana, pot, Mary Jane, weed, cannabis. Call it what you want, but with 20 states allowing medical marijuana and others weighing its medicinal or recreational use, marijuana is the hot topic of the moment. 

With factors such as marijuana’s increased availability, changing social acceptability and the declining perception that it is harmful, PACT invites community members to engage in a dialogue about ways to have an impact on a youth’s decision about using the drug—and prevent the known harm it can do.

PACT’s biannual coalition meeting is set for 7:00pm, next Tuesday, March 18, at the Pelham Jewish Center will focus on prevention ideas. Hear from a panel of experts to learn more about what is happening nationally and locally related to youth marijuana use. 

Panelists confirmed for the event include: 

• Peggy O’Leary, Pelham parent providing a unique perspective on youth marijuana dependence

• Peter Giarrizzo, Superintendent of Pelham Public Schools

• Detective John Hynes, Youth Officer, Village of Pelham Police Department

• Suzanne Chieca, LMSW, Student Assistance Counselor, PMHS. 

• Carolyn Cullen, PhD, LCSW-R. Licensed psychotherapist and lecturer, Mercy College School of Social and Behavioral Services. 

“Consistent with national trends, we have seen a sharp decline in Pelham’s youth perceiving marijuana as harmful,” says PACT Coalition Director Virginia Hartmere. “As risk of harm decreases, use increases, this meeting is an opportunity for our community to come together to better understand the factors contributing to youth marijuana use and to work together to find ways to increase our prevention efforts in Pelham.”

The meeting will aim to provide a brief presentation of highlights of national and local data, give attendees a better understanding of the local conditions contributing to youth use and a chance to hear about strategies in place and brainstorm together new approaches to prevent and reduce marijuana use by Pelham’s youth. 

PACT is a community coalition encouraging youth to make healthy, safe and substance-free choices.  Find out more by visiting our website at www.pelhampact.org and like us on Facebook.