Offers Positive Alternative to Unofficial “National Weed Day”
The North Coastal Prevention Coalition (NCPC) is getting a head start on its prevention message to students and parents by sponsoring the annual “420 Remix – A Celebration of Sober and Drug-Free Life Choices” at Boomers! This positive, drug-free event will include pledging to make positive choices on April 20 – a day that is promoted as an unofficial marijuana-smoking holiday. Vistans approved Measure Z in November 2018, which allows 11 storefront marijuana dispensaries in the City of Vista. Now more than ever, NCPC encourages parents to send clear messages to their children. According to research findings, children whose parents have a positive attitude towards marijuana use are five times more likely to use marijuana by 8th grade. One of the key reasons teens choose NOT to use drugs is because they know their parents don’t approve of it. A parent resource area and workshops will be set up in the parking lot of Boomers! Parents can learn effective prevention strategies while middle school students enjoy an afternoon of drug-free fun. The event is open to middle school students from Carlsbad, Oceanside and Vista and provides free entrance to Boomers! Learn more about 420 Remix Boomers! event at: 
WHEN: 3 p.m. – 6 p.m., Thursday, April 18, 2019
WHERE: Boomers! Entertainment Center – 1525 W. Vista Way, Vista, CA 92083
WHO: Aaron Byzak, Chief External Affairs Officer at Tri-City Medical Center
Youth prevention leaders from local high schools
WHY:
• People who begin using marijuana before the age of 18 are four to seven times more likely to develop a marijuana use disorder than adults (NIH, 2018).
• Studies have shown an association between chronic marijuana use and increased rates of anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and schizophrenia (NIH, 2017).
• In San Diego County, approximately 2 percent of 7th-graders report using marijuana in the past 30 days; this increases to 15 percent for 11th-graders, which is why it is crucial to instill positive life choices at an early age (CHKS, 2017).
• The perceived risk of harm associated with marijuana use is decreasing. Nationally, in 2015, only 31.9 percent of high school seniors thought regular marijuana smoking was harmful; in 2009 the rate was 52.4 percent (CDPH, 2016 Marijuana & Tobacco Fact Sheet).
• Marijuana is the primary drug of choice for youth ages 12-17 in publicly funded drug treatment. Higher THC levels may mean a greater risk for addiction if people are regularly exposing themselves to high doses (NIH, 2017).
