Cadets in the second session of this summer’s Town of Warwick Police Department Junior Police Academy participated in an interactive cannabis awareness workshop this week, thanks to a visit from the Warwick Prevention Coalition!
The session was led by three coalition members: Kristine Wilson, LMHC, the coalition’s Prevention Director and Coordinator; Joie Ogrodnick, retired nurse practitioner and longtime community health advocate; and Natali Getz, the coalition’s Youth Coordinator.
Drawing on decades of experience in healthcare and mental health, Ms. Ogrodnick and Ms. Wilson guided the cadets through an exploration of cannabis and its effects on the adolescent brain. They emphasized why it is particularly important to protect their developing brains from cannabis, which can have long-term impacts on thinking, memory, and emotional regulation.
Using an infographic-style slide presentation, they explained that the brain continues to develop until about age 25, making it especially vulnerable to cannabis exposure during their tween and teen years. Ms. Ogrodnick detailed the risks that cannabis poses to young people, including things like poor self-control, difficulty concentrating, lack of motivation, sleep problems, and impaired judgment. Ms. Wilson also elaborated on how early substance use can increase risks for mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety.
The workshop included a discussion on stress, mental wellness, and healthy coping strategies as alternatives to substance use. When asked how they handle normal, day-to-day stressors, many of the cadets shared their own excellent techniques, including activities like listening to music, closing their eyes and taking a deep breath, and even playing a video game. Ms. Ogrodnick led the cadets through a guided breathing exercise that they could use at times they felt anxious. She emphasized that building healthy habits early on can help protect both brain and body from the risks of cannabis and other substances.
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