Oceanside High School’s “Be the Resistance Club” members put their beliefs into action by organizing a community forum to educate fellow students and parents about adolescent marijuana use and mental health. Club members said their goal is to build community and reduce the harm of drug use among teens.
Event attendees were provided dinner, supervised childcare, raffle prizes, and a resource fair, in addition to various speakers.
Club member Alex Garcia Gomez said, “People are too enclosed in their own headspace.” He said he joined “Be the Resistance” to make a change and bring people together. He hopes to inspire people to speak about their passion. Fellow club member Heather Little said she joined because she wanted to help others but didn’t know how. She said “Be the Resistance” gave her a way to make a difference. Senior Mia Ramirez said she got involved to help people to be more informed about the impacts of drug use.
Club members said most students are not using drugs of any kind, but for those who do use, there can be severe health consequences.
Speaker Susan Writer, PhD, a psychoeducation specialist from Aurora Behavioral Health Care, said the consequences include an elevated risk of Cannabis-Use-Disorder, Cannabis-Induced-Psychosis, a greater risk of developing schizophrenia, and Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome, also known as cyclical vomiting. Studies on these topics are available on the website of the International Academy on the Science and Impact of Cannabis at www.IASIC1.org.
According to the San Diego County Cannabis Public Health Initiative, the rate of cannabis-related hospital discharges surpassed 36 a day in 2021, marking a steady increase over the last four years. The number of cannabis-related emergency hospital admissions in San Diego County was highest among 25-34 year-olds, however, nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control reports that the largest share of cannabis-involved visits was for young people between the ages of 15 and 24.
Data from the 2022 California Healthy Kids Survey show that 12% of 11th graders in Oceanside’s traditional high schools reported using marijuana in the past 30 days.
Dr. Writer said she welcomed the opportunity to address common myths and misconceptions.
For example, she explained that some teens believe using cannabis can alleviate symptoms of anxiety. However, when the high wears off, she said the anxiety level can actually increase beyond the original point, leading to what she termed “rebound anxiety”.
She said she often sees cases where a user’s relationship with the drug becomes more important than their relationships with the other people, and users may spend most of their time thinking about how to get their next hit.
Speakers from Vista Community Clinic’s Parent and Child Health Program focused on the detrimental impact that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) can have on mental health, including a state of toxic stress. The speakers agreed that stress relief is often cited as a reason that both adolescents and adults turn to substance use.
Oceanside High School Assistant Principal Lourdes Fernandez said the school recognizes these challenges and provides an array of student support programs including a wellness center on campus, therapists, a grief support group, Alateen (for students affected by a family member’s substance use), a food pantry, and access to free clothing.
The “Be the Resistance Club” welcomes new members.
Resources and services are available to assist with screening, treatment, and recovery for individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD). The Access and Crisis Line is open year-round, 24/7, at (888)724-7240.
Funded by the County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency
