Page 2 THE REVERE ADVOCATE - Friday, March 15, 2019 Parents concerned about vaping addiction, difficulty quitting By Tara Vocino SABATINO INSURANCE AGENCY Call for a Quote 617-387-7466 Or email Rocco@sabatino-ins.com We cover: * Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available n response to vaping addictions among middle and high school students, a presentation about vaping and e-cigarette use was held in the Rumney Marsh Academy auditorium last Wednesday night. Jonina Gorenstein, the Living TOBACCO FREE manager of the Tobacco Treatment Service Health Center at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), delivered an hour-long slideshow presentation, which was followed by a panel discussion with school officials and experts in the field. According to Gorenstein, I vapes are battery-powered devices with fruit-flavored, odorless heated liquid inside with space to insert nicotine or marijuana, which she said often leads to addiction. “Your kids will tell you it’s just flavored water, but there’s actually no water inside,” Gorenstein said. “They’re attractive, portable and can be charged on a laptop.” She told the story of a 16-year-old boy who was addicted, quit and relapsed. “My lungs are fine,” he told her. “But I’m addicted and who wouldn’t like strawberry?” She went on to say that http://www.sabatino-ins.com SABATINO 564 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 617-387-7466 Hours of Operation are: Mondays - Fridays 9am to 5pm Saturdays by appointment only Everett Aluminum 10 Everett Ave., Everett 617-389-3839 Owned & operated by the Conti family since 1958 • 57 Years! “Same name, phone number & address for family since 1958 • 61 over half a century. We must be doing something right!” •Vinyl Siding •Free Estimates •Carpentry Work •Fully Licensed •Decks •Roof • Fully Insured • Replacement Windows www.everettaluminum.com •Roo ng Now’s the time to schedule those home improvement projects you’ve been dreaming about all winter! there are 15,000 different flavors, and Juul, the most popular brand name, is valued at $34 billion. The brand is advertised through social media and brings in $30 million per day, according to Gorenstein. Gorenstein said the chemical goes to the brain in just eight seconds, and it triggers the release of dopamine – the same euphoric feeling that often results from heroin and cocaine use. Known as “the iPod of cigarettes,” a starter set costs $49.95 and chilAssistant Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joshua Vadala asked panelists questions during a vaping forum at Rumney Marsh Academy last Wednesday. dren often share them. Gorenstein said it harms the developing brain, suppresses appetite and brings on symptoms of withdrawal. During the panel discussion, school officials and experts in the field answered questions from Assistant Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joshua Vadala. Vadala asked Dr. James McKowen, Addiction Recovery Management Service director at MGH, at what age parents should talk to their children about the dangers of vaping. McKowen said parents should have that conversation once their child is 14 years old or at least in middle school. “They should talk to their pediatrician, school psychologist and/ or counselor around that age,” said McKowen, who specializes in working with adolescents and their families. SeaCoast Alternative High School Nurse Adrienne Maguire said she uses every opportunity she can to talk to children in the Nurses’ Office, encouraging them not to vape, VAPING | SEE PAGE 7 Spring! During last Wednesday’s vaping forum at Rumney Marsh Auditorium, School Committee Vice Chair Carol Tye suggested that community leaders and parents band together. (Advocate Photos by Tara Vocino)
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