Christian Teter presents at UNE's third annual summit on teenagers and marijuana use
On March 25, 2016, the University of New England will hold the third annual summit on marijuana use by teenagers, titled “Keeping Youth Healthy: Marijuana and Teens.” The program will take place from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Ramada Inn in Saco. It will be hosted by UNE’s Coastal Healthy Communities Coalition’s Project Alliance, in collaboration with schools RSU 23, RSU 21 and SAD #6.
Current data shows that young people have a lower perception of risk when it comes to regular marijuana use, according to the 2015 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey. This perception is strengthened by the legalization of marijuana in Colorado and Washington, the proliferation of medical marijuana and the promotion of marijuana through pop culture. The summit will address the latest research in regard to marijuana use by teenagers, expanding upon new data and trends.
Other topics that will be discussed during the event include current laws and policies, youth in recovery, brain development and creating classroom lesson plans for middle and high school students. There will also be opportunities for group discussion.
Christian Teter, Pharm.D., BCPP, associate professor of Psychopharmacology at UNE, will be presenting on the ways in which marijuana use impacts the developing brain of an adolescent. Other speakers at the event include Scott Gagnon, Chair of Project SAM (Smart Approaches to Marijuana); Caleb Gilbert, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Jill Lamontagne, health educator at Kennebunk High School; and Matt Braun, a Coastal Healthy Communities Coalition/Project Alliance Consultant. The Summit is facilitated by William L. Paterson, Project Alliance Program Director and Adjunct Faculty at UNE.
The event is designed for administrators, teachers, counselors, healthcare professionals, school resource officers and staff at middle and high schools in northern York County.