Do You Think Marijuana Use Among Local Teens is a Problem?

How often do teens in Middlefield and Durham smoke pot?

According to a survey conducted by Durham Middlefield Youth and Family Services in 2011, 24 percent of underclassmen (9th, 10th and 11th graders) at Coginchaug High School admitted to smoking pot at least once during a 30-day period.

The number of local high school seniors who admitted to using marijuana at least once over the same period was even higher, at 31 percent. That's compared to 22.6 percent of high school students nationally, according to the National Institutes of Health.

In an effort to engage the community about the use of marijuana among teens, DMYFS will host a free workhop tonight entitled "Unraveling the Truth About Marijuana and Its Impact On Our Kids."

The free, interactive multimedia presentation is for parents, teachers, coaches, mentors and community members and will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. at Strong School.

The workshop will address questions and concerns like: 

• What are the myths and realities of marijuana use today?
• How does it impact the brain and our children’s functioning?
• I smoked pot, should I tell my kid?

DMYFS has invited guest speaker Andy Buccaro to the event to provide attendees with solutions and strategies. For more about Andy click here.