Algonquin Regional High School in conjunction with Be Well Northborough has coordinated a virtual parent-speaker event, “Teen Marijuana Use: Separating Facts and Fiction”. The event presenter is Rick Cresta, LICSW and is scheduled for Tuesday, November 15 at 7-8:30 p.m. including a Q&A session.
The goal of the event is to educate both students and families about the effect of marijuana on the pre-adult brain, address dangers of chronic use, and dispel some misconceptions about marijuana. This is part of ongoing efforts to keep students safe and healthy.
The presentation will focus on pot use among teens and young adults with an emphasis on chronic use. In previous presentations, Cresta has noted, “While it is possible to have a reasonable debate around the harms and benefits for adult use, the evidence of harm to the pre-adult brain is substantial and growing.” The presentation will address this issue as well as the dangers of chronic pot use. The virtual event will help provide more education to both students and families and dispel some misconceptions about marijuana.
Cresta has over 25 years of experience working with adolescents and young adults in a variety of settings including schools, residential treatment and home-based. He is in private practice in the Boston area specializing in work with court-involved youth and focuses on substance use, trauma and violence prevention. Rick received both his MSW and MPH from Boston University. He is currently a half-time faculty at the BU School of Social Work. In addition, he provides training and consultation on substance abuse and other adolescent and young adult-related issues to numerous organizations throughout the New England area.
Be Well Northborough is a collaborative health and wellness initiative aimed at helping our community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Its mission is to develop new programming and resources, as well as raise awareness of existing resources, that address issues such as social isolation, mental health, substance use, and overall wellness.
