Page 16 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, ApRil 19, 2024 Drug Education Can Help Youth During 4/20 Day A dult-use cannabis became legal in Massachusetts in 2016, and in 2018, the first two adult-use retail stores opened for business. According to the Cannabis Control Commission in the state, adult-use marijuana establishments in Massachusetts surpassed $5 billion in gross sales on August 31, 2023. The tracking system had recorded 317 marijuana retailers, nine delivery couriers, eight delivery operators and one micro business with a delivery endorsement when the Commission reported the earnings. Cannabis culture and the market continue to grow in the state, and so does the influence. Because of this, drug education remains essential and can help youth understand marijuana and 4/20 Day. Parents and educators play a vital role in introducing their kids to drug education to help them understand the risks and make good choices as they age. Per a youth survey taken by the Cannabis Control Commission, marijuana use in the state decreased dramatically for high school students in 2021 compared to 2019. While rates declined for middle school youth, the change was insignificant. However, half of high school students thought it would be very or fairly easy to get marijuana. Still, they reported thinking the risk of harm from using marijuana was moderate or great. When parents and educators use drug education, consider keeping the conversations age-appropriate. Speaking with a five-year-old is much different than speaking with a teenager. Use language and examples a child or teen would understand. Teach them about the risks of underage use and what to avoid, such as vaping and edibles. Most important, put yourself in your kid’s shoes. This can be especially critical for teenagers as they face different social pressures and situations at school or through social media. Make a point of understanding what they are up against. When speaking to them about cannabis, stay calm and relaxed, stay positive, don’t lecture, and be clear and concise about boundaries without using scare tactics or threats. Yet, it’s ok to set rules, guidelines and expectations and create rules together as a family or class. Parents and educators can be clear about the consequences without using lecturing but clearly state what is expected regarding cannabis use. Moreover, choose informal times to have conversations about cannabis and do not make a big thing about it. Yet, continue talking to them as they age, and let them know you are always there for them. Finally, speak to them about peer pressure and talk with them about having an exit plan when they are offered marijuana. Peer pressure is powerful among youth, and having a plan to avoid drug use helps children and students make better choices. Ultimately, it is about assisting them to make good choices as they age. —Marcel Gemme is the founder of Substance Use Prevention Education (SUPE) and ~ Book Review ~ US Aviation Marines Turned Infantrymen Dominate Over Raging Taliban Ambush on Major Airfield AN DIEGO, Calif. — Three days after the September 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, another attack occurred on a massive forward operating base called Camp Bastion in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, home to U.S. and U.K. expeditionary forces. Why didn’t American citiS zens hear about this? “Still reeling from the embarrassment of Benghazi, the Taliban surprise attack on Bastion was covered up and misrepresented by top U.S. officials in the interest of saving face during a mandated drawdown of troops,” said Jeanne McKinney, award-winning military journalist. In her new book, Triumph Over the Taliban, McKinney takes readers inside what happened at Camp Bastion, which was touted as “impregnable” by the British, who built the base. U.S. Marines and British soldiers found out otherwise when heavily armed insurgents breached the base’s airfield perimeter the night of September 14, 2012. “Sadly, blame for the deadly incursion was pinned on two American generals by other U.S. and British top military who turned their backs, rather than giving recognition to 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Marines who picked up their rifles, rushed to locate the source of enemy fire and explosions, and fought valiantly,” McKinney said. Triumph Over the Taliban reveals the true story of what really happened at Camp Bastion on that fateful night. With nine years of research into the battle along with one-onone interviews with key Marine warfighters, McKinney paints a vivid picture of this gripping saga, sharing intimate life and death moments of fighting the Taliban on the ground and in the air — describing how Marines saved civilian contractors, each other, and over $5 billion in aircraft and equipment. With keen investigative prowess, she also unravels the behind-the-scenes politics that led to Bastion being breached in the first place as well as the post-attack cover-ups that resulted in the unjust dismissal of two highly respected generals. Most importantly, readers will meet the U.S. Marine heroes who fought with valor, grit and exceptional skill. Triumph Over the Taliban is their remarkable story, with a Foreword by Lieutenant General James Terry, U.S. Army, Commander ISAF Joint Command. About the Author Jeanne McKinney is an award-winning military journalist as well as a military documentary filmmaker. Her focus and passion are telling the legendary stories about United States active-duty military members in their fight to keep America and her allies safe and free. McKinney offers an inside look at men and women who do the hard and very dangerous job of counterinsurgency to stop and disrupt the plans of the world’s most notorious terrorist groups. She shines a light on America’s amazing warfighters, telling their stories as if readers were there with them on combat missions throughout Afghanistan, Iraq, Africa, Syria or wherever the next global hotspot erupts. She is currently in the final stages of writing, directing, and producing Ronin 3: The Battle for Sangin — a threepart documentary series that follows 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines through a labyrinth of murder holes and IEDs in a heavily entrenched Taliban stronghold, on their mission to restore security to the local Afghan people. McKinney has won multiple San Diego Press Club Excellence in Journalism Awards, including eight FirstPlace honors. The President’s Own Marine Band performed an original score for her film series at a World Premiere in August 2022. For more information, visit https://patriotprofiles. com/, or follow the author on LinkedIn (https://www. linkedin.com/in/jeannemckinney/) Facebook (https:// www.facebook.com/jeanne. mckinney.507) or X (@jeanneemckinney). Amazon link: https:// www.amazon.com/Tr i - umph-Over-Taliban-Marines-Courageous-ebook/dp/ B0CSVCXFZR/ref Founder of SUPE Marcel Gemme. (Courtesy photo) has been helping people struggling with substance use for over 20 years. His work focuses on a threefold approach: education, prevention and rehabilitation.
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