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Talking With Youth About Cannabis

The YMCA Youth Cannabis Awareness Program (YCAP) is pleased to invite you to attend our online presentation, “Talking With Youth About Cannabis.”

Designed specifically for adults involved in youths’ lives, “Talking With Youth About Cannabis” offers suggestions for parents, guardians, teachers or care providers in order to help guide discussions with youth in their lives about cannabis use, while sharing of resources available for the support of youth.

Research suggests that lecturing and use of scare tactics is less effective at preventing youth from using substances and instead increases stigma surrounding the conversation. Instead, this presentation will provide participants with ideas on how to frame more open, youth-friendly and honest conversations with a focus on positive youth development.

Join us as we explore:

Reasons why we should speak with youth about cannabis

Risk and protective factors associated with cannabis use

Self-assessing one’s own perspective about cannabis and how that makes a difference when speaking with youth

Awareness of what goals we hope to achieve when speaking with youth about cannabis

The importance of appropriate, youth-friendly language, including terms to use and terms to avoid

Evidence-based information regarding youth and cannabis use to help inform discussions

Strategies to creating a safe and receptive environment

Common responses and points youth often contribute when discussing cannabis or when youth try to avoid these discussions, as well as constructive ways to respond to these points

Where to find additional resources, support and information regarding cannabis use, as well as services provided across Canada for youth regarding substance use and wellness

YCAP does not make value judgments regarding recreational cannabis use, seeking instead to minimize risks associated with cannabis use by providing the most accurate and unbiased information.

Jan 18, 2023 06:00 PM in Atlantic Time (Canada)