Friday, December 7, 2018
The Changing Culture of Marijuana Laws and the Impact on the Adolescent Brain
Event, Workshop, Continuing Education, Social Work CE, In-Person Workshop
Time: 9:00a - 4:00p
Where: Hauppauge Center, 55 Kennedy Drive, Hauppauge, New York
Click here for full details and to register
CEs: 6
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon
“The Science of How Addictive Substances Affect the Teen Brain” with Dr. Stephen Dewey, Ph.D.
Addiction is a disease where regionally-specific neurochemical changes underlie its development and progression. In addition, these changes are thought to produce cravings – often associated with both acute and chronic symptoms of withdrawal. While addictive substances and behaviors produce unique changes in these specific chemicals, the degree to which they do so depends on the substance and behaviors abused. This presentation will identify these neurochemical changes and demonstrate alterations that develop as a function of the addictive substance.
Learning Objectives
- Attendees will learn about the specific neurochemical changes that occur in addiction.
- Attendees will better understand the use of brain imaging strategies to visualize this disease.
- Attendees will learn about the impact of environmental cues on relapse to drug seeking behavior.
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
“The Latest on Marijuana Policy, Politics and Research” with Dr. Jeffrey L. Reynolds, Ph.D.
Several US states have legalized the recreational use of marijuana and several other states, including New York are poised to follow suit. The shift in policy has significant public health implications, especially for adolescents, people at risk for addiction and other vulnerable populations. Dr. Reynolds, who has been at the forefront of efforts to address the opioid epidemic and has advised New York State on marijuana policy, will discuss experiences in states that have legalized marijuana, update participants on marijuana research efforts, including medical use of the drug and discuss innovative clinical interventions for addressing marijuana dependence in young people.
Learning Objectives
- Participants will be able to describe the New York State policy changes around marijuana use.
- Participants will be able to explain at least one anticipated public health consequence of policy changes in New York State.
- Participants will be able to analyze the difference between recreational and medical use of marijuana.