Anti-Drug Coalitions Reclaim 4/20 to Educate Youth on Maintaining Healthy Brains

Teens, community advocates, health care professionals and members of the Westchester Coalition for Drug and Alcohol Free Youth all gathered around the “Mega Brain” on the campus of Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital to celebrate “Healthy Teen Brain Day” on April 20, 2017 at 4:20pm.

The event is designed to promote healthy lifestyles among Westchester teens by avoiding smoking marijuana. April 20^th is the unofficial holiday of marijuana advocates and Westchester County officials are working hard to reclaim and re-position April 20 as a day to celebrate healthy teen brains and recognize teens who choose to live a drug-free lifestyle.

“I am really interested in preserving and maintaining brain health. Nowadays a lot of people focus more on physical fitness than of brain fitness. I think it's important to know the effects of drugs on the brain so we can maintain it for healthier lifestyle,” said Alliyah Steele, who attends youth programs in Peekskill, and who carried a hand-made sign that said “Love Your Brain.”

In addition to teen testimonials, the centerpiece of the day was the giant inflatable brain exhibit. Those in attendance could walk through the big brain and learn about marijuana’s dangerous effects on developing minds.

“The Mega Brain is pretty amazing. From the outside it looks small, but on the inside you can seed detailed information about how marijuana effects the brain,” said Brian Garcia Hernandez of Yonkers who also spoke about his reasons for being drug free. “I just want to have a good life, a long, healthy life. I don't want to have to worry about my body being sick.”

More than 100 students toured the brain and completed a scavenger hunt questionnaire about information they learned from inside the brain.

“Far too many of our young people don’t believe marijuana is harmful and are unaware of its dangers. It is important that we help our children, students and impressionable teenagers make smart and healthy decisions that will affect them today and for years to come,” County Executive Robert P. Astorino said of the annual event. “It’s gratifying to see so many adolescents in Westchester County choosing not to smoke marijuana and raising awareness among their peers about its associated risks.”

“Healthy Teen Brain Day” is one of many programs held throughout Westchester County where municipalities, coalitions and student groups join forces to raise awareness about the risks associated with adolescent marijuana use. While today’s teens are less likely to view marijuana use as harmful, scientific research from the American College of Pediatricians provides evidence that marijuana is especially detrimental to an adolescent’s brain.

Westchester County Commissioner of Mental Health, Dr. Mark Herceg, noted that regular marijuana use changes a person’s brain structure. “During teen years, it's the absolute worst time to use cannabis because the mind-altering drug can disrupt brain development,” said Herceg. “A growing number of studies show regular marijuana use, once a week or more, actually changes the structure of the teenage brain, specifically in areas dealing with memory and problem solving. This can affect cognition and academic performance.

The Westchester Coalition for Drug and Alcohol Free Youth is an umbrella coalition whose members represent 30 local community anti-drug coalitions throughout the county. The goal of the program is to reduce substance abuse among youth in Westchester and, over time, among adults by addressing the factors that increase the risk of substance abuse and by promoting behaviours that minimize the risk of substance abuse.

The event was sponsored by: Ardsley SAYF Coalition, Bedford, Lewisboro, Pound Ridge DAPC, Blind Brook Community Coalition, Cortlandt Community Coalition, Croton Community Coalition, Dobbs Ferry Youth Services Council, Hastings Community Coalition, Irvington ASK-CAB, Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, New Castle United for Youth, New Rochelle FOCUS, Peekskill Agencies Together, Pelham PACT, Rye ACT, Scarsdale Task Force on Drugs and Alcohol, Student Assistance Services, Westchester Coalition for Drug and Alcohol Free Youth, Westchester County Youth Bureau, Westchester Department of Community Mental Health, White Plains Cares Coalition, Yonkers Coalition for Youth, Yorktown ASK.