Educating for Life

Citing the latest research, speaking earnestly and forthrightly, and facilitating hard conversations, she challenges her audiences to live positively and make well-considered lifestyle choices. Her sessions – including those at Collegiate where she’s presided in the fall and spring for 18 consecutive years – are stimulating, thought-provoking, and – make no mistake – serious grist for the mill.

She’s passionate about her calling. She’s a pro. Little surprises her. Nothing shocks her. She’s seen it all. She’s heard it all. Then Juul, the latest rage in electronic cigarettes, arrived on the scene.

 

“There’re added pieces you don’t find with other drugs,” she said. “Drugs spike. They get popular. Then they get unpopular. In most cases unless it’s alcohol or tobacco, it’s a criminal operation. It’s in the shadows. These companies, especially Juul, are legitimate with CEO’s and a board of directors. They’re worth billions of dollars. They (the e-cigs) are sold legally through beautiful, sleek advertising. Social media amplifies the issue in an intense way. It is a phenomenon.”

 

Juul closely resembles a flash drive and emits no smoke or odor.

 

“It’s small,” she continued. “It’s easy to conceal. It’s easy to use. You don’t have to buy e-liquids separately. You buy these little pods that fit right into the pen. There’s absolutely nothing to it.”

 

If it’s legal, what’s the problem?

 

“First of all,” she said, “it has a huge nicotine content which is the addictive substance in tobacco. It’s very efficient. These are nicotine delivery systems. They (the manufacturers) have figured out chemically how to maximize the effect of the nicotine. What people really misunderstand is that it turns the e-liquid into an aerosol. These kids are inhaling aerosol that has poisonous chemicals that taste like crème brûlée or blueberry muffins. It’s poisonous gas masquerading as sweet-tasting, harmless vapor. It’s not vapor. It’s not steam. It’s aerosol.”

 

If Juul is so dangerous, why do people use it?

 

“Kids, I think, want to be edgy,” Brenda said. “They think it’s a low-stakes way to rebel, but it’s more of a long-term problem than short-term. The short-term effects of Juuling aren’t terrifying. They’ve bought into the idea that it’s much less harmful than traditional tobacco that you light on fire. That comparison isn’t fair. What you should be comparing it to is air. Oxygen. That comparison looks terrible. There are many, many (harmful) chemicals in Juul.”

 

When Brenda has spoken of alcohol use, her message has been “delay, delay, delay.” In her thinking, there’s no element of “delay” with Juul.

 

“It’s avoid-it-for-your-lifetime,” she said. “Children are much more susceptible to the effects of nicotine. It’s brain changing. They’re more susceptible to addiction generally, so they’re extra vulnerable. There’s no safe use for adults, either.”

 

The advent of e-cigarettes, especially Juul, was just a part – albeit a significant part – of Brenda’s latest visit to Collegiate’s Middle School where she met this week with both students and parent groups.

 

“One of my frustrations with the invasion of Juul,” she explained, “is that I have to spend time on it because it’s important and kids are enchanted with it. It’s a distraction from talking about alcohol and other drugs which are still a hazard. I try to put it into one big message of health and safety. These products are dangerous to the wellbeing of your child. What parents are doing at home in terms of open dialogue and setting expectations is very important with preventing Juuling as well. All the same strategies can be implemented. That’s good.”

 

A major goal of Brenda’s program to 8^th graders is to prepare them for the transition to high school and the pressures they might encounter.

 

“Eighth graders,” she said, “are looking forward to more freedom, but they’re afraid of it. They’re afraid of the social situation and how they’ll handle it. Can I maintain my health and values and still be popular? These thoughts are swirling around in their minds.”

 

What’s she telling them?

 

“Part is education,” she added. “Part is telling them that most kids, especially at Collegiate, make great choices every day. If they decide not to drink, not to use other drugs, not to use tobacco, they will have a lot of company. That’s the norm. I hope that kids who aren’t using feel affirmed. If kids feel good about the great choices they’re making, that’s huge. If I change the thinking of a kid that’s on the fence, if I can get them to move maybe 10 degrees in a better direction, that would be great.”

  -- Weldon Bradshaw