Hastings and Prince Edward County public heath officials are running information sessions on cannabis for parents and caregivers.
Hastings Prince Edward Medical Officer of Health Dr Piotr Oglaza told the Board of Health on Wednesday that it was important to start a dialogue with parents in the role of use prevention among teenagers.
Sessions have been held in a number of school areas.
The one in Quinte West was cancelled because of bad weather but will be re-scheduled.
Belleville Councillor Sean Kelly, March 6, 2019 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Belleville Councillor Sean Kelly said teens need to hear the stories of someone who has “got sucked in” by marijuana and “what it is to battle the drug.”
Kelly told the Medical Officer of Health, “I applaud what you’re doing but I don’t know if it’s got traction.”
Oglaza answered that these sessions are for parents. Regarding strategies for teens, he said they would be looking at different models, different strategies for dealing with teens.
He also outlined the help being given to municipalities with their by-laws regarding cannabis.
Oglaza says it’s similar to the smoking by-laws.
The heath unit has already worked with Prince Edward County and Quinte West.
Board Chair, Tweed Mayor Jo-Anne Albert, told the board, “There is a whole section of Centre Hastings, those people need (cannabis) sessions as well.”
Oglaza said he is reaching out to all the municipalities.
Regarding people with mental health issues using cannabis, he said they may suffer “damage” and there are better ways of dealing with that, such as “reaching out for help.”
