Candelora, Scanlon Named ‘Champions for Healthy CT’
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Deputy Republican Leader Vincent Candelora (R-86) and State Representative Sean Scanlon (D-98) were named ‘Champions for a Healthy Connecticut’ by the Connecticut Association of Prevention Professionals on Monday, February 29. The legislators were presented the awards during a press conference held by CAPP at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.
“I’m honored to have been chosen as a CAPP ‘Champion for a Healthy Connecticut’, and more importantly, to support CAPP’s efforts in providing awareness and education on the negative effects of marijuana on our youth. With more than 10,000 high school students in Connecticut addicted to marijuana, the statistics are alarming and it is clear that we need to continue to raise awareness and continue having these conversations in our communities. Moms, dads, and primary caregivers, as well as siblings and peers are the first line of defense in helping to educate our youth and have an open dialogue about the truths and the dangers of marijuana use,” said Rep. Candelora. “I'm incredibly grateful to CAPP for their 'Champion for a Healthy Connecticut' award and I'm proud of the work I've done with them and their local affiliate Guilford DAY to raise awareness and pass legislation concerning our opioid and heroin epidemic. I am committed to doing all I can as a legislator to continue making progress on this issue and ensuring that we not only get those struggling with addiction the help they deserve but also working with prevention experts to discourage young people from experimenting with these deadly drugs in the first place,” said Rep. Scanlon.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), people addicted to marijuana are more than three times more likely to be addicted to heroin. Both lawmakers agreed that while the state legislature continues to focus efforts on policies aimed at substance abuse, more work needs to be done. Rep. Candelora added, “Although we continue to make strides in the fight against substance abuse in adolescents, including prevention and treatment, we need to focus on policies that decrease access by our youngsters to marijuana and other drugs. With the rise of heroin and opioid drug addiction being a major concern across the nation and here in Connecticut, it is vital that we act now to protect our children and the people of our state.” Sponsored by CAPP, the Champions for a Healthy CT event featured keynote speaker John Daviau, MACP, Executive Director of CAPP, a Community Psychologist with almost 30 years of experience in counseling, prevention, and intervention initiatives. Dr. Sandra Carbonari, M.D. FAAP also gave remarks on the negative impact of marijuana on adolescents. Dr. Carbonari, a treating pediatrician, is the immediate past president of the CT Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and serves as the current chair of the chapter’s Legislative Affairs Committee. Both speakers discussed the dangers associated with marijuana use in youth.
The Connecticut Association of Prevention Professionals is a statewide network of prevention advocates that seeks to identify and raise awareness of behavioral health trends. Founded in the 1980’s to support and advocate for prevention, behavioral health and wellness, CAPP is the CT affiliate of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) in response to changing marijuana laws and their negative impacts on youth.
For more information, visit www.cappct.org
“I’m honored to have been chosen as a CAPP ‘Champion for a Healthy Connecticut’, and more importantly, to support CAPP’s efforts in providing awareness and education on the negative effects of marijuana on our youth. With more than 10,000 high school students in Connecticut addicted to marijuana, the statistics are alarming and it is clear that we need to continue to raise awareness and continue having these conversations in our communities. Moms, dads, and primary caregivers, as well as siblings and peers are the first line of defense in helping to educate our youth and have an open dialogue about the truths and the dangers of marijuana use,” said Rep. Candelora. “I'm incredibly grateful to CAPP for their 'Champion for a Healthy Connecticut' award and I'm proud of the work I've done with them and their local affiliate Guilford DAY to raise awareness and pass legislation concerning our opioid and heroin epidemic. I am committed to doing all I can as a legislator to continue making progress on this issue and ensuring that we not only get those struggling with addiction the help they deserve but also working with prevention experts to discourage young people from experimenting with these deadly drugs in the first place,” said Rep. Scanlon.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), people addicted to marijuana are more than three times more likely to be addicted to heroin. Both lawmakers agreed that while the state legislature continues to focus efforts on policies aimed at substance abuse, more work needs to be done. Rep. Candelora added, “Although we continue to make strides in the fight against substance abuse in adolescents, including prevention and treatment, we need to focus on policies that decrease access by our youngsters to marijuana and other drugs. With the rise of heroin and opioid drug addiction being a major concern across the nation and here in Connecticut, it is vital that we act now to protect our children and the people of our state.” Sponsored by CAPP, the Champions for a Healthy CT event featured keynote speaker John Daviau, MACP, Executive Director of CAPP, a Community Psychologist with almost 30 years of experience in counseling, prevention, and intervention initiatives. Dr. Sandra Carbonari, M.D. FAAP also gave remarks on the negative impact of marijuana on adolescents. Dr. Carbonari, a treating pediatrician, is the immediate past president of the CT Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and serves as the current chair of the chapter’s Legislative Affairs Committee. Both speakers discussed the dangers associated with marijuana use in youth.
The Connecticut Association of Prevention Professionals is a statewide network of prevention advocates that seeks to identify and raise awareness of behavioral health trends. Founded in the 1980’s to support and advocate for prevention, behavioral health and wellness, CAPP is the CT affiliate of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) in response to changing marijuana laws and their negative impacts on youth.
For more information, visit www.cappct.org