OCTOBER 30, 2019
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Let’s Talk about Drugs and Vaping Emily Mailhot Reporter – Vegreville News Advertiser When it comes to staying educated about drugs, it can be difficult for the average person to sift through the quickly-changing information in order to be proactive for theirs and their children’s health. From the ongoing opioid crisis, cannabis legalization, and the popularity of vaping products in schools, local organizations worked together on October 24 with a “Let’s Talk About: Drugs and Vaping in Vegreville” event at the Social Centre to help keep Vegreville informed. The evening started with a presentation from Colleen Pidzarko-Armitage, Program Manager and Addictions Counsellor at the Vegreville Al-Drug Society, and. Jason Lappa, School Resource Officer for Vegreville RCMP. Over the course of an hour, Armitage and officer Lappa explained the dangers of vaping, as well as other relevant drugs in Vegreville. With a perspective focusing partly on school-aged children, officer Lappa said that vape products are one of the most dangerously difficult to regulate technologies that are being marketed to kids. With the help of several examples, he explained that, while companies may say that their vape products are
not designed for children, it’s clear which age group they are marketing to. “Vape products come in such a wide variety of flavours, often erring on the
isn’t any way to tell what is in the vape juice without testing it or finding out with unfortunate reactions. “Kids tend to treat vapes as they do other things:
‘candy’ side. Even those that do not list any nicotine content have shown to have some traces in there, and it gets them hooked… Over the past few years, they have also started to come out with more discreet designs of vape “pens” such as USBs. There are also new vapes that look like hoodie strings and dispel very little vapour; clearly designed to use while in class.” Lappa further explained that another danger of vaping in schools is that there
they trade, they share, and so on. Unless it’s coming from a sealed package from a store, the contents of vape juice could include not only nicotine but cannabis, as well.” Lappa said that the youngest kids they are aware of vaping in Vegreville schools are in grade 5; ten years old. This presentation was followed by an overview of the dangers of vaping, which was later affirmed by Dr Dan Edgecomb and Jameison
Brown during their first-ever live ‘Doc Talk’ recording. To contrast: while the health risks attached to smoking cigarettes are more long-term and we have had many years to research them, we have no idea what the long-term risks of vaping are aside from what can be estimated through use of technology. As far as the short term effects of vaping, officer Lappa explained the growing risk of “popcorn lung” in a matter of years – or even months as they are currently seeing with recent fatalities in eastern Canada. To further drive the health risks home, they presented a photo of a local youth who was hospitalized after a reaction to a vaping product. Following the vaping information session, Lappa and Armitage gave a more comprehensive look at which illegal drugs are currently on the streets in Vegreville, which ones are most common, and how to tell a person is under the influence. Throughout the presentation, Lappa reminded the audience of the “Good Samaritan” clause which protects individuals from any possession charges if they call 911 to report that someone has overdosed. “At the end of the day, our priority will always be saving a life over laying a charge,” said Lappa.
Scaring up fun at Halloween Carnival Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent The height of a good time for Halloween was found at the October 26’s Annual Vegreville Preschool Association Halloween Carnival at the Senior Citizen Sunshine Club of Vegreville. Approximately 300 people attended this event which was completely operated by volunteers. Parents danced with their children and kids danced with other kids to childfriendly Halloween music played by DJ Gerren Saskiw. In another corner were desserts and treats of every sort for sale which were decorated in an original Halloween style. Children could buy tickets to play the Halloween games where they could win
tickets back if they won. Then the kids could use these tickets to obtain things from the large selection of prizes available at the Witches’ Kitchen. Canadian Tire donated some of these prizes. This is a fundraiser for the preschool and the funds will be used to keep the program operating as the preschool association has an annual goal to raise a minimum of 15 thousand dollars a year.
We’ve Moved! We’ve been serving the community of Vegreville since 1927, and that’s not changing. What’s changing is our office location! Find us right next to Vegreville Composite High School at:
6502 55 Avenue Parents and children were dressed in original costumes. (Rosanne Fortier/photo)
For all your Electricity & Natural Gas needs, come visit us at our new location! Questions? 1-800-668-2248 ATCO.com
