Scarsdale Community Takes Back 4/20

Marijuana use is on the rise in Scarsdale and the stakes are higher than ever. As we enter the month of April, we are steadily approaching the date 4/20, a holiday observed by marijuana users as a day to celebrate cannabis. Since the 1970s, 4/20 has been considered by many as "National Weed Day." However, Scarsdale, and the greater Westchester community, is reclaiming 4/20 by transforming it into "Healthy Teen Brain Day." April will be a month to recognize and spread awareness about the dangers of marijuana use and its adverse effects on the brain. To kick off the month, the Scarsdale Task Force on Drugs and Alcohol hosted a meeting on April 1st to discuss the pervasiveness and the dangers of Scarsdale teen use of marijuana.

At the onset of the meeting, Mayor Jonathan Mark issued a proclamation declaring April 20th to be "Healthy Teen Brain Day." Members of the community shared their opinions on this important topic. Susie Rush, representing the office of Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, announced the desire to make this a county-wide initiative.

Margaret Smith and Emily Vallario presented a slideshow analyzing marijuana use among Scarsdale teens and the latest research on marijuana and its impact on the teen brain. In the presentation, Smith and Vallario spoke on the recent Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) conference they attended where keynote speaker, Dr. Bertha Madras, delivered an impactful lecture on the dangers marijuana presents to the teenage brain. Among these dangers are loss of motivation, extreme anxiety and panic attacks, and memory loss. Additionally, recent studies have revealed that marijuana poisoning is becoming an increasing threat to teens. Marijuana poisoning is similar to alcohol poisoning, and it can cause fever, chills, vomiting and unconsciousness.

Smith and Vallario also shared data about marijuana use among Scarsdale teens. One of the most striking items shown in the presentation was the results of the PRIDE Survey of 2014, which showed that while freshman, sophomore and junior students at SHS reported using marijuana at levels below the national average, senior students reported higher usage rates. Furthermore, there was a steady increase in marijuana usage as grade levels increased. The entire presentation can be viewed on the Scarsdale PTA website here. 

Spring is typically associated with increased substance use, as teens move outside to enjoy the weather and attend many parties and gatherings that present opportunities for substance use. Advocates for "Take Back 4/20" believe it's important to take a stand now to keep the community's teens can stay safe in the coming weeks and months. As Dr. Bertha Madras stated in her keynote speech, "This is not a war on drugs, it is a defense of our brains!"