Pandemics and quarantines are known to cause a significant increase in mental health and substance use issues. – University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry

Even before the pandemic hit in March, surveys like the National Institute on Drug Abuse- Monitoring the Future showed that the vaping of marijuana was on the rise among teens. Marijuana use affects adolescent brain development, student performance on school tests, and the retention of learning. 

“Brain structures can actually change based on the exposures the brain has in childhood,” according to Cara Poland, MD, Med, Michigan State University. “When we talk about growing children … substances can have long term changes and effects on the brain and on the physical body’s development.”

Allek Scheele, MD, FAAP, Spectrum Health agrees, “Marijuana decreases their ability to problem solve, decreases attention span, and impairs their ability to concentrate. Marijuana will affect development and can alter the way they think, they process events in their life and can affect their mood and personality.”

Educator Resources to Support Teens

Kent ISD is launching a new virtual learning opportunity for classroom teachers and school administrators. This series of three (3) videos provide information and strategies to support youth development, healthy behaviors, and student performance.

Steve Dieleman, Kent ISD Health Grant Consultant and coordinator of these videos, says that these virtual learning experiences are “easy to access, provide insights from medical experts, and give practical messages for marijuana harm reduction.”

1. Marijuana Harm Reduction: A Professional Development Video | Time 12:01

This professional development production explores the effects of marijuana and outlines tools for educators.

Cara Poland, MD, Med, encourages educators to, “listen to adolescents, to understand their struggles and to help them navigate difficult situations. To be available and help direct them into healthier ways to cope with stress, make friends, and direct them into healthier environments to work, study, and live.”

Just want a recap of Video 1? Video’s 2 and 3 present highlights from the original version.

2. Marijuana Harm Reduction: Adolescent Body, Brain, Behavior, and Vaping | Time 4:49

3. Marijuana Harm Reduction: Strategies for Educators | Time 4:42

Featured West Michigan Health Care Providers

We would like to extend a special thank you to the West Michigan health care providers for taking a moment to share their expertise with local West Michigan educators. Health providers featured in the virtual learning sessions include:

• Cara Poland, MD, Med, Michigan State University
• Allek Scheele, MD, FAAP, Spectrum Health
• Anthony Muller, MA, LPC, CAADC, CCS, SPADA, Samaritas, Vice President, Substance Use Disorder Services

Spread the Word

Click here to visit the Kent ISD Professional Development YouTube channel and watch and share with a colleague or friend. The more we bring awareness to this topic the bigger the impact we can all have on student wellness.

And don’t forget to subscribe to the Professional Development YouTube channel so you don’t miss other great professional learning opportunities!

#StudentWellness #MarijuanaHarmReduction #WeLeadLearning #KentISDpd

This blog post was written by Steven Dieleman, Health Grant Consultant for Kent ISD and edited by Amanda Walma, Professional Learning Coordinator and Sara Sefcik, PD Hub Intern at Kent ISD. Kent ISD collaborated with Kent County Health Department to create the virtual learning professional development opportunity. Funded in part by a Medical Marijuana Operation and Oversight Grant, Michigan Department of Regulatory Affairs, Marijuana Regulatory Agency.