Being on the front lines is never easy, no matter the battleground. At CCSA, we are immersed in the battle against addiction, through our community awareness events, support group for family members, and prevention education programming.

Staying on top of current drug trends and understanding the landscape of this particular battlefield can be daunting. For now, I would like to focus on marijuana as we face the reality that legalization has brought with it a wide range of challenges in terms of greater accessibility, a decline in the perception of harm, and increased usage, particularly among our youth and young adults.

We should first understand that the marijuana of today contains very high percentages of THC (the psychoactive component that creates the euphoric feeling associated with using weed). Twenty years ago the average concentration of THC in cannabis was about 5%; today, THC levels can easily be as high as 90%.

Contrary to popular belief, marijuana is addictive. The higher the THC content, the greater the effects on the brain. As with any substance, introducing marijuana while the brain is still developing, which continues through a person’s mid-twenties, increases the risk of addiction.

There are reports of physical illnesses linked to marijuana use such as cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, a condition that causes recurrent vomiting in heavy users. Other potentially harmful effects, particularly for our youth whose brains are still developing, include changes in brain anatomy and memory loss. Even more disturbing is the link between marijuana use and psychosis, an increased likelihood of developing depression, and suicidal ideation. These consequences can sometimes result in lifelong mental health conditions.

Despite these dangers, the potency of products currently on the market is largely unregulated and often underestimated, particularly when using methods of use like ingesting edibles, which take longer to take effect and are the leading cause of marijuana overdoses.

In a world where many states have legalized marijuana for recreational use for individuals over the age of 21, where retail stores and dispensaries are popping up (often times near our schools and in residential shopping centers), and its use is on the rise (particularly those under 25 who generally do not consider marijuana use as risky or dangerous), it is more critical than ever to educate ourselves and understand the facts and very real risks that marijuana poses.

A lost battle is a battle one thinks one has lost - at CCSA, we know that it is essential to keep moving forward, keep fighting to create greater awareness and education on these issues that impact our communities. And that is what we will continue to do.

Lianne Forman

Executive Director 

Common Questions Our Middle School Students Are Asking!  

• "What happens if I go to a party and people are smoking and someone asks me to smoke too?"
• "How does one not fall into peer pressure of using drugs, alcohol or smoking in high school when it's so important to fit in?"
• "I am not involved in any substances, but how do I not get involved? I am scared I might. Vaping is a bit of a problem but how do I stop and not get involved. It tasted good and made me feel good. Plus the peer pressure is high. Can you tell me how to stop and not get started?"

Common Questions Our High School Students Are Asking!  

• "I have an issue with how my friends use drugs. They use it as a part of their day. They forget the people who don't use drugs such as their friends and just smoke every second of the day. This seminar has taught me the positives of helping friends out! Thanks so much!"
• "How do you draw a line for yourself especially in this time of your life when drinking/drugs are normal and constant?" 
• "I thought it was a great seminar, that it spoke about the reality and not a fantasy that others pretend. It made me realize I am not the only one."
• "If my parents think it's not bad to drink, should I still be careful?"

An Ounce of Prevention ...    

By Lianne Forman

What you see above are actual questions posed to CCSA at our prevention education programs in middle and high schools. This gives you a small window into what are the most pressing concerns and questions on our children’s minds and how they may be struggling with regard to substance use and peer pressure. These are a microcosm of the questions that we get all the time, an indication to us of the critical need to educate our children early and often about substances in an effort to prevent risky behaviors and avoid developing an addiction later in life. 

We at CCSA know what it means to impact kids’ lives in a very real way. After a recent high school prevention education program, a student admitted he was using substances and wanted to stop, but said he didn’t care enough about himself to do so. Our presenter spoke to him directly and then brought it to the attention of the guidance counselor.

In another situation, we got a call from a guidance counselor who related that two 8th grade girls came to her office, worried about their friend. They said that she was hanging out with high school boys, drinking and using weed, and they wanted to make sure that an adult knew what was happening. They specifically said that they only felt comfortable saying this because the CCSA presenter said that it wasn’t “telling” on someone, but helping and potentially saving their life, and that you should speak up if you are concerned.

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In the News ...    

On June 23rd, the FDA banned the sale of all JUUL e-cigarettes. While we are pleased with this latest development, there are still many similar products on the market, particularly disposable vapes, that are appealing to our children and are being marketed specifically to them. Disposable devices are prefilled vapes that contain nicotine and are available in flavors that are attractive to minors and young adults.

Vapes, which became more popular in the mid-2010s as a “healthier” alternative to cigarettes, has created a whole new generation of our youth who are now addicted to nicotine products. From the outset, companies, such as JUUL, marketed their products towards young people with fruity and sweet-flavored products. In an effort to curtail young people from starting to vape, the FDA banned the sweeter, more enticing flavors and only allowed the sale of menthol and tobacco flavored pods in 2020.

While this may help in preventing teenagers from picking up their first vape, there are still many teenagers who are actively vaping. In the most recent Monitoring the Future study (University of Michigan, 2021), 13.4% of 8th graders, 22.2% of 10th graders, and 31.5% of 12th graders said they have vaped in the past 12 months. In addition, at our prevention education presentations in schools, students are constantly asking about the health risks of vaping, what to do if they have a family member who vapes, and asking for help in quitting themselves.

Vaping has a strong presence in our community and we cannot turn a blind eye to it. We must continue to be vigilant on what is available for our children to purchase and consume, and educate them, and parents, on the harmful effects of vaping and other substances.

Where We Have Been!    

• Orthodox Conundrum Podcast: “It’s Out There and the Stigma Must End: Confronting Substance Use in the Orthodox Community”

• Prizmah Mental Health Summit: “The Legalization of Marijuana: What Does It Really Mean?”

• Foundation of Jewish Camp’s S’more Wellness Mental Health and Community Care at Camp Workshop: “Addressing Substance Use & Addiction in Camp” 

• JOWMA (Jewish Orthodox Women’s Medical Association) Panel: “Substance Use Roundtable: What Every Parent Should Know”

• Chicago Community Program: Upward Parent Community Program and Presentations at Fasman Yeshiva High School and Ida Crown Jewish Academy

• RIETS YU Pastoral Seminar: “Understanding the Prevalence of Substance Use Issues in our Jewish Communities and How to Manage Community Needs”

• OU Spirit Initiative: “How Do I Know? Eliminating Stigmas and Saving Lives” 

• Columbia University’s Psychiatric Fellows Seminar: “Treatment of AUD in the Orthodox Jewish Community, Cultural Competency and the Treatment of SUDs”

• MASK (Mothers & Fathers Aligned Saving Kids) Podcast: “Substance Use & Addiction in our Community”

July 19-20, 2022: OU Women’s Initiative’s Foundations of Community Mental Health Support Conference

By the Numbers: Academic Year 2021-2022

We thank all the schools that partnered with us during the academic year of 2021-22. In having us present the CCSA Prevention Education program to their students, parents and faculty, these institutions have demonstrated their commitment to educating our children about the facts around substance use and create honest and open conversations on the subject, which helps us prevent addiction and shatter the stigma of substance use in our community. 

CCSA Partner Schools

We welcome anyone with a loved one who is struggling with substance use or addiction. Since we are conducting these meetings online, anyone can join. Loved ones can meet others who understand what you are going through, and who can offer dialogue and support. The group is facilitated by professionals specializing in addiction and is free of charge. You are not alone.

For more information on how to join the group, please email CCSA at info@jewishccsa.org. 

Our meetings are held on Wednesday evenings.

info@jewishccsa.org