Healthy Choices Bulletin

The Healthy Choices Bulletin is a monthly summary of substance use prevention resources for school staff to use and share with students and families. Most of the titles and images are linked to fliers and websites. We encourage school teams to include them in their school newsletters and communications with families. If you have thoughts, questions or feedback please feel to reach out mkrogh@pps.net.

Marijuana Awareness Month takes place every February and aims to spread knowledge about the negative effects of marijuana use. Marijuana use is on the rise in the U.S., causing a rise in addiction too. The popularity of the drug is a result of the perceived myth that the drug is harmless because of its recent legalization in some states.

Marijuana use during adolescence can cause permanent damage to developing brains (up to age 25), including an average IQ loss of up to 8 points, impaired memory, learning, and cognitive function. It is linked to increased risks of addiction, mental health issues (depression, anxiety, psychosis), poor academic performance, and physical safety risks like impaired driving.

This month the Healthy Choices Bulletin is focusing on resources and information regarding marijuana and its effects of developing adolescents' brains.

• A Comprehensive Guide for Parents Talking to their Teens about Cannabis - This is a longer article, but a school team could split up and share it in smaller segments in several family newsletters. It discusses the impact of growing social acceptance on adolescent substance use and gives key strategies parents can use to talk with their children about marijuana.
• Teens who use Marijuana are more likely to suffer Psychotic Disorders - This article is based on a recently released study that adds to the evidence linking cannabis use to an increased risk of mental health disorders, including schizophrenia, anxiety and depression, particularly in adolescence.
• Talking with your Teen about Marijuana: Keeping Your Kids Safe - Printable easy to read article for families.
• This website has a variety of materials, information for families and solutions in Spanish. The materials can be downloaded and shared via email and on social media.
• Toolkit for Parent and Caregivers - Herramientas para padres y cuidadores
• Marijuana and the Developing Brain - La marihuana y el cerebro en desarrollo
• Marijuana and the Mental Health of Adolescents - La marihuana y la salud mental de los adolescentes

A dedicated champion for student belonging and connection, Ms. McVicar serves as the School Climate Specialist at RCP. Known for her warm and welcoming presence, she makes it a priority to know every student by name, helping each young person feel valued, seen, and heard. Her consistent care and daily commitment foster a safe and supportive environment where students can thrive both socially and emotionally.

In her role, Ms. McVicar works intentionally to cultivate a strong culture of belonging across the school community. She partners with teachers to implement the Caring School Community curriculum in every classroom, reinforcing positive relationships and shared responsibility. Her impact is evident not only in the climate she helps create, but also in the admiration she inspires—during Spirit Week’s “Dress Like Your Favorite Teacher Day,” numerous students proudly dressed as Ms. McVicar, a true testament to the meaningful connections she builds each day.

As a reminder, each month we will feature a Portland Public Schools staff member who represents what it means to be a trusted adult. These are the teachers, counselors, coaches, and staff who take the time to connect with students, offer support, and help create a sense of belonging in our schools. Trusted adults are one the single biggest protective factors for youth against early substance misuse and other at-risk behaviors.

By sharing their stories, we hope to celebrate the caring adults who make PPS a place where every student feels seen, supported, and valued.

Know a staff member who goes above and beyond? Click here to nominate a trusted adult in your school to be featured in an upcoming Staff Spotlight!

The Multnomah County Student Health Centers are actively engaged in the prevention of overdose. They provide training and dispense Narcan nasal spray, a crucial medication for reversing opioid overdoses.

Recognizing the risk from deadly fentanyl found in counterfeit pills—and the resulting overdose deaths—they have focused their harm reduction efforts on providing resources specifically for youth and their families.

To support this critical need, the Student Health Center has produced "Expect Fentanyl, Overdose Prevention Training" video. This three-minute video was created in partnership with student actors from local high schools and serves as a vital resource:

• Immediate Response: It teaches clear, step-by-step actions for responding to an opioid overdose, including those involving Fentanyl.
• Comprehensive Training: Essential topics covered include understanding the opioid crisis, recognizing the signs of an overdose, administering naloxone (Narcan), and providing essential support until professional help arrives.
• Take Action: We encourage all students to watch the video to learn the signs of an overdose and how to properly use Narcan.

Students can make an appointment at their nearest Student Health Center to receive Narcan and hands-on training. Visit our Locations page to find the Student Health Center nearest you.

Every month the Healthy Choices Bulletin shares harm reduction and overdose prevention resources, linked here and under Additional Resources.

Additionally, students and families can order Narcan for free through Next Distro.

We will be facilitating an Environmental Scan on

March 4th at 2:00 PM near Roosevelt High School.

What is an Environmental Scan?
An Environmental Scan is a structured process for gathering information about the local community, including factors that influence youth behavior, available resources, and potential areas for intervention. This information helps us better understand the community environment and plan more effective strategies.

We are seeking volunteers to support this effort. If you are interested in getting involved, please email Brittany Warren at Bwarrentonkins@pps.net

FREE Training - Register now for a timely, solutions-focused conversation exploring how nicotine use can affect youth mental health, increase anxiety, and accelerate addiction — and, importantly, how parents can respond in ways that build trust, motivation, and resilience. As nicotine products evolve and become more discreet, the mental and emotional impacts on kids and teens are often overlooked, leaving many parents unsure where to start.

Join Parents Against Vaping and Dr. Jonathan Avery, Vice Chair of Addiction Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College, for an evidence-based discussion on the intersection of nicotine, youth mental health, and practical strategies parents can use to support their children — without judgment, fear, or blame.

Register here.

Nicotine poses unique and serious risks to young people, whose brains are still developing well into their mid-twenties. Research shows that early exposure to nicotine during this critical period can interfere with healthy growth.

Adolescents can begin showing signs of nicotine addiction very quickly—sometimes even before regular or daily use begins. Because nicotine affects the parts of the brain responsible for attention, learning, mood, and impulse control, youth who use nicotine may experience challenges in these key areas. Early nicotine use has also been linked to an increased risk of future addiction to other substances.

Nicotine and marijuana are by far the most frequent causes of student disciplinary actions with in PPS. To address this growing concern and support students who want to make healthier choices, the Multnomah County Tobacco Prevention Office is offering nicotine quit kits to students in 6th–12th grades.

These kits are designed to provide practical, hands-on resources for students interested in reducing or quitting nicotine use. Educators and staff who have students interested in receiving support are encouraged to complete the brief request form to access these materials.

If you have students who would like some hands on resources, please complete this brief form.

Please see image below for details about the contents of the nicotine quit kits.