The article "Under Construction: Young Brains and the Impact of Marijuana" details an educational initiative aimed at informing adolescents about the effects of substance abuse, particularly cannabis, on their developing brains.
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Charlotte Reeves, the Manager of Surry County's Office of Substance Abuse Recovery Prevention and Administrative Services, visited East Surry High School as part of a countywide drug education program called "Resist the Influence."
Her goal was to provide fact-based, non-judgmental information to ninth-grade students about the risks of substance use.
Reeves explained that cannabis, especially when used during adolescence, can have detrimental effects on brain development, which continues until around age 25. She emphasized that experimentation with cannabis at a young age is linked to lower academic performance, delayed graduation, and an increased likelihood of addiction. Her presentation delved into the scientific impacts of cannabis on the brain's hippocampus (responsible for memory), cerebellum (which controls motor coordination), and basal ganglia (which turns intention into action).
The presentation also highlighted how THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis, affects these critical brain areas by impairing memory formation, slowing motor reactions, and dampening the brain's reward system, potentially leading to addictive behavior.
Reeves concluded by acknowledging the confusion surrounding cannabis legalization in different states but clarified that in places where cannabis is legal, it's only for adults aged 21 and over.
Her message to the students was clear: while cannabis may seem harmless or cool, its use during adolescence can interfere with cognitive function and overall performance, particularly in sports, and hinder future success.
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