Assistant DA Discusses Substance Abuse: 10 Takeaways from the Presentation

(l-r) Adjustment counselor Kerry Fagan,
Attorney Lesure, and school
nurse Kristin Gauthier

Earlier this morning all of Nipmuc's students had the chance to hear a presentation from  Attorney M. Julie Lesure from the District Attorney's office. Attorney Lesure met with students to discuss the adverse consequences of alcohol and drug use. She covered a range of topics. The top ten takeaways from today's presentation are included below:

1. Approximately 88-92% of cases in Worcester court are drug/alcohol related. 
2. Use of alcohol, cigarettes and marijuana before age 16 is associated with higher rates of substance use dependence.  
3. A study of the impact of marijuana on frequent users showed that marijuana use leads to a loss of 8 points in I.Q. levels.
4. The social host law makes it illegal for parents to allow underage kids to drink at their home and can lead to jail time as a consequence. 
5. The most common two-drug combination resulting in death is prescription painkillers and alcohol.
6. Possessing drugs (prescription pills, cocaine, etc.) while in a vehicle - even if infraction has nothing to do with auto infraction – can result in arrest and loss of license.
7. Synthetic marijuana is prevalent among teenagers and can lead to heart attacks and violent behavior. 
8. There are a number of local cases of teenagers who have injured others and faced significant legal consequences as a result of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 
9. Marijuana is the most prevalent drug detected in fatally-injured drivers. 
10. Operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol will result in a minimum 1 - 5 year loss of license. 

Tomorrow all students will have the chance to follow-up today's presentation in our advisory meetings. During our advisory meetings students and teachers will focus on substance abuse through the review and discussion of four articles.

Thank you to Nipmuc's nurse Kristin Gauthier and adjustment counselor Kerry Fagan for organizing today's event. When they contacted Attorney Lesure in January to book this meeting, they recognized that they wanted to provide a series of opportunities to talk about these concerns as a community. On Monday, March 24 we will continue the discussion of health risks in our students' lives and ways we can build community partnerships to promote wellness. This event for parents, students, and community members will take place on 3/24 at 7pm in the Nipmuc cafeteria. All are welcome.