Drugsense initiative in the news
Psychology Today: “What One Pediatric Pulmonologist Thinks About Teenage Vaping: An Interview With Dr. Elizabeth Fiorino”
The specific long-term risks with vaping are still uncertain, but we do know they are dangerous. As Dr. Fiorino said, it is never too early or too late to quit.
A Special Feature: An Interview with Dr. Elizabeth Fiorino, M.D.
DrugSense Initiative had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Elizabeth Fiorino, an esteemed pediatric pulmonologist at Weill Cornell Medicine. We discussed teenage nicotine use and possible side effects, including an increased chance of contracting respiratory illnesses later in life.
Psychology Today: “Vaping and COVID-19”
SARS-CoV-2 has now affected millions of people in the United States alone. Earlier this year, Andrew Cuomo, Governor of New York, issued a state-wide shutdown of non-essential personnel to limit the spread of the virus to “flatten the curve.” In mid-April, when many restaurants, shops, stores, and offices followed Cuomo’s directive and closed, several stores and bodegas that sell JUUL and other e-cigarette products remained open.
Weill Cornell Medicine Psychiatry: “DrugSense Initiative”
Housed on an interactive platform by EThreeZone, each DrugSense Initiative lesson includes takeaway questions to ensure that the material is being understood, allowing her to tailor the curriculum to provide maximum benefit. In 2018, Alyssa received a grant from The Medical Letter to implement the DrugSense Initiative, and this past year, the online curriculum was used in two middle schools in Westchester, New York, impacting over 500 children.
Psychology Today: “The DrugSense Initiative Pushes Back Against Youth Vaping”
The youth vaping epidemic has received headlines over the last year for the record numbers of adolescents vaping nicotine. The consequences of this use, including lung injury and addiction, have been discussed by both the science community and the lay media. Less attention has been paid to the success stories. A number of individuals have quit using, and they are ready to share their stories. In addition, adolescents are developing novel ways to push back against this surge in vaping.
ReigningIt: “Women Who Reign - Alyssa Shah”
Alyssa created a for the youth, by the youth, non-profit organization, The DrugSense Initiative, to help combat drug use and reduce its devastating effects. She received a grant from The Medical Letter to further develop this program. She is a member of the New York City HRA Youth Leadership Council, a Changemaker scholar for the United State of Women, and a National Center for Women and Information Technology Aspirations Tri-State Award winner and National Honorable Mention.
Future Sharks: “Teen Entrepreneur and Social Advocate Alyssa Shah Tackles the Vaping Epidemic”
I was selected to attend the United State of Women conference as a changemaker scholar where I learned about the vaping epidemic and the war on drugs. After this conference, I started researching the effects of vaping and learned that most teens who vaped did not know about the dangers of vaping, and in fact they thought vaping was harmless and safe. I realized that education was the first step in tackling this problem, but most schools did not have drug awareness programs
Psychology Today: “How Recovery High Schools Are Helping Young People With SUDs”
According to a recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 165 million Americans, 60.2% of the U.S. population, were past-month substance users (alcohol, nicotine, or illicit drugs). And the problem is not just use; it is one of misuse and abuse: drug addiction has ravaged the country, especially in the form of the current opioid epidemic. Most U.S. states have been focused on combating the opioid epidemic as it affects adults. But a number have started to turn their attention to interventions aimed at teen users. The question is: what can be done? Substance use is a notoriously intractable disorder, and teen drug use has been on the rise, even though organizations like D.A.R.E. have been around for decades.