April 20, 2016 - Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino gathered with nearly 100 high school students, teachers, health professionals and parents who make up the Westchester Coalition for Drug and Alcohol Free Youth to declare April 20th as “Healthy Teen Brain Day” in Westchester.
In recent years, April 20th has become known as a day when some young people gather to smoke marijuana. Throughout Westchester County, municipalities and coalitions are joining forces to raise awareness about the risks associated with adolescent marijuana use.
While today’s teens are less likely to view marijuana use as harmful, the scientific research continues to provide evidence that marijuana is harmful to the adolescent brain (American College of Pediatricians, 2015)
“It is so heartening to see a movement gaining momentum among our young people, especially students in Westchester, who are saying they want a healthy body, and yes, a healthy brain,” said Astorino. “What good is the American Dream if you never wake up and actually live it?”
To celebrate and support Westchester youth who are making healthy decisions, the Westchester Coalition for Drug and Alcohol Free Youth in partnership with coalitions and municipalities throughout the county, including Ardsley, Bedford, Cortlandt, Croton, Greenburgh, Harrison, Hastings, Irvington, Larchmont Mamaroneck RADAR, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, New Rochelle, Ossining, Peekskill, Pelham, Pleasantville, Pound Ridge, Rye, Rye Brook, Scarsdale, White Plains, Yonkers and Yorktown are joining together to reclaim the day as ‘Healthy Teen Brain Day.’
“During teen years, it's the absolute worst time to use cannabis because the mind-altering drug can disrupt brain development,” said County Commissioner of Mental Health, Dr. Mark Herceg. “A growing number of studies show regular marijuana use, once a week or more, actually changes the structure of the teenage brain, specifically in areas dealing with memory and problem solving. This can affect cognition and academic performance. If we look at actual grades, chronic marijuana-using teens do have, on average, one grade point lower than their matched peers that don't smoke pot.”
The Westchester Coalition for Drug and Alcohol Free Youth is an “umbrella coalition” whose members represent 30 local community anti-drug coalitions throughout the county. The goal of the program is to reduce substance abuse among youth in Westchester and, over time, among adults by addressing the factors that increase the risk of substance abuse and by promoting behaviors that minimize the risk of substance abuse.