Educating Adolescents About Substance Abuse (Series Begins Oct. 16, 2023) (Registration Closed) – The Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth, Inc.

This course closed on 07/16/2024.

For this webinar series, participants will automatically be enrolled in all 5 sessions.

REGISTRATION CLOSED

Speaker

Greg West, WEPS Education

Description

This webinar series will address various substances of abuse, addiction and dependence, risk factors for adolescents, and strategies for educating students about substance abuse.

Alcohol is the most commonly abused drug, and the one that causes the most harm. Alcohol is often the first substance used recreationally by young people and, yet, they know little about it. In this session, alcohol will be looked at as a drug with considerations for dosing, effects, stages of intoxication, behavioral/medical risks and legal issues.

To receive PDPs and CEUs, participants must attend all 5 sessions and successfully pass a quiz following Session 5. Following the live webinar, registrants will be emailed a link to view the recorded webinar. The recording will be made available for 7 days after each session.

Alcohol is the most commonly abused drug and the one that causes the most harm. Alcohol is often the first substance used recreationally by young people, and yet they know little about it. In this session, alcohol will be looked at as a drug with considerations for dosing, effects, stages of intoxication, behavioral/medical risks, and legal issues.

From nicotine to volatile substances to THC, the inhalation of smoke, gasses, and vapors for recreational purposes runs risks of pulmonary disease, hypoxia, poisoning, addiction, dependence, cancer, and even death. Inhalants are often perceived as less risky than other methods of intoxication. This session will explore the facts behind each inhalant.

In past decades, illicit opioids evolved from a drug used by only the most risk-taking recreation intoxicators to a common substance abused by millions of Americans. To appreciate the current situation, one must understand the story of this progression. Topics will include types of opiates, methods of administration, signs, and symptoms of use and overdose, and emergent care.

Risk factors do not concisely predict nor rule out one’s possibility of addiction. They do, however, point to potentials that are best acknowledged to minimize becoming addicted. Participants will complete a self-assessment based on known risk factors, discuss the meaning and reasons for these factors, and consider methods of mitigating them for adolescents.

Today, the general acceptance of recreational intoxication in young people is higher than ever. As the country moves toward decriminalizing and legalizing marijuana, this popularity will continue to grow. The New Drug Education looks at current trends in use and attitudes about intoxication, considers best practices for educating and raising adolescents, and examines the legal and health risk factors facing young people.

About the Speaker

Greg West, M.Ed., is a retired Health Education teacher of 30+ years. He has designed and implemented middle and high school Comprehensive Health Education programs as well as courses in emergency medicine. He now presents topics of adolescent health and wellness to high school students as well as offering programs for parents and school personnel through WEPS Education (www.wepsEducation.com).

Substance Abuse risk self-assessment

evaluation

Participants must attend all 5 sessions, either live or recorded, to receive PDPs and/or CEUs. If you are not eligible for PDPs and/or CEUs, you may apply for a Certificate of Attendance.

Membership Information

Most MPY webinars are available ONLY to current staff from member districts and organizations. Public school memberships include police and fire personnel. Former and retired employees and members of committees, including but not limited to, PTO/PTA, PAC, School Improvement Councils, Health Councils, Drug/Alcohol Councils, and school volunteers, are not considered MPY members.

PDPs and CEUs

MPY is an approved Professional Development Provider through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (Provider No. F20180079). Professional Development Points (PDPs) are offered for most MPY professional development webinars. PDPs are issued in 10 hour increments, per DESE requirements.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for clinical staff through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association, Inc. (MaMHCA). The NASW and the MaMHCA approve each event individually. CEUs may be given in hourly increments.

To receive PDPs and CEUs, participants must pass the quiz.

Event Cancellation Policy

If you are unable to attend a MPY webinar you must cancel, through Bonnie Mullen at bonnie@mpyinc.org, one business day before the webinar.

For MPY hybrid conferences, the date in-person registration closes will be posted on MPY’s website. Virtual conference registration will close one business day before the hybrid conference. You cannot cancel or switch your registration from in-person to virtual after in-person registration closes. Please email Bonnie Mullen at bonnie@mpyinc.org with any questions regarding registration.

Enrollment in this course closed on 10/16/2023.

If you are seeking to receive CEUs and/or PDPs, please click Register Now. Once you complete the webinar series, you will be able to take quizzes for CEUs and/or PDPs. Upon completion of each quiz, you will receive a certificate.

All sessions are 9:30 am – 11:30 am.