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PSHS parent council concerned about cannabis opt-in

Parry Sound High School Parent Council are in strong support against cannabis retail stores in town.

A group of approximately 15 parents and teachers were at the town council meeting yesterday expressing concerns about the impact that a cannabis retail store may have on local youth.

Ruth Beattie, Chair of PSHS Parent Council says that normalizing cannabis use is their biggest concern.

“We know people can order it online or get it illegally, but when we get accustomed to seeing it and if young people see a store and keep on seeing it, they may assume that’s a normal thing to do and kids may not have a problem using it,” Beattie said.

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Beattie says that the legality of cannabis is far more complex when youth, addictions and mental health become a factor.

“If you have a youth that is under 16, yes, there is help at the school level in terms of councillors but, CMHA told me that there were no specific programs for youth. Youth must be at least 16 to have access to addictions programs. What we find is that there is youth between 13 and 15 where there is a gap,” Beattie added.

The CMHA responded to those claims and issued this statement:

“Canadian Mental Health Muskoka Parry Sound(CMHA-MPS) offers Youth Addiction Services to transitional aged youth, which includes individuals under the age of 16. The program provides counselling to youth who are misusing substances or to youth who are impacted by someone else’s use. Counselling is offered with a Harm Reduction approach, respecting the choices and promoting safer use and options that help minimize the risk of substance use. Common support offered includes moderation, abstinence, alternative coping, self-exploration, advocacy and connection to community supports and resources.  Service may include individual support, groups, outreach in schools and community. CMHA-MPS also provides support and education to family members who may have a youth who is experiencing addiction, this may include individual support, groups and/or additional resources.”

Although municipalities that opt-in to cannabis retail could be eligible for at least $10,000 in funding in relation to costs associated with enforcement of the Cannabis Act, Beattie says the small amount of money will not cover the costs of crime. To the Parent Council, the small amount of money isn’t worth the impact of crime and addictions inflicted on vulnerable people in the district.

Beattie also referred to the vaping epidemic that has happened this year in the high school.  She said a vape shop had opened up near the school and youth had obtained access to vaping paraphernalia. It was reported that students were vaping in the school bathrooms, thereby intimidating other students who required access to the facilities. The school had made a decision to remove doors from the bathrooms.

Beattie said that the Parent Council is concerned because vaping has become a problem between students and staff at the school that the very same scenario could eventually happen with the normalization of cannabis in the community.

“I would suggest treatment because we have that age gap. I would suggest to take the property tax revenue generated from the store and have a program or treatment that’s specifically for youth needing addictions and mental health support. Parents would also need support if they have a young child enduring addiction,” she noted.

Mayor Jamie McGarvey said that he took the concerns of the Parry Sound High School Parent Council very seriously and that he intends to present their concerns to the province for further consideration.

Municipalities that have opted-in to cannabis retail can opt-out if they choose, though cannot opt-in again. For a list of Ontario municipalities that have made a decision ahead of the January 22nd deadline, can view them here. 

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