Chemical health prevention specialist joins CRHS for anti-vaping lesson
(11/15/19) Coon Rapids High School (CRHS) has been using its advisory period on Thursdays to share lessons with students to try and teach them about safety topics. On Oct. 31, CRHS talked with students about the dangers of cellphone use while driving and the hands-free cell phone bill that went into effect Aug. 1.
On Nov. 14, CRHS used the advisory hour to educate students on the dangers of vaping. See photos of the event.
CRHS school counselor Julia Corneil-Smith created the content for teachers to share with students with the help of Colleen O’Neil, Anoka-Hennepin’s newly-hired chemical health prevention specialist.
The advisory hour featured an interactive discussion that included statistics about vaping, an interactive quiz, and two videos with local ties featuring real students who shared their experiences. One of the videos was a KARE 11 story about a local teenager who experienced serious medical complications due to vaping.
With all CRHS students taking part in the lesson, school administrators hope to build greater awareness surrounding the dangers of vaping while also giving students access to available resources.
“The impact of today’s message will go far beyond the classroom,” O’Neil said. “It will allow students to have conversations with others on this topic and to have accurate information when doing so.”
O’Neil is a licensed alcohol and drug counselor and certified prevention professional. Prior to joining Anoka-Hennepin, she worked in South Washington County Schools, where she provided individual clinical services and group work as well as support for families and staff. O’Neil has over 20 years of experience working in the education field.
She will work to promote a safe and welcoming environment and well-being of our students’ chemical health through education, prevention and awareness.
“As a chemical health prevention specialist, I feel that no matter what the chemical health need is, I will be able to offer resources, support and guidance,” O’Neil said. “Prevention and age-appropriate education is key to avoiding substance use and we need to start those conversations early and follow-up with continuing education throughout high school.”
The district formed a Chemical Health Advisory Committee (CHAC) in June of 2017 with the goal of regularly reviewing and analyzing current alcohol and drug use and trends both locally, statewide, and nationally. The group would also provide a venue for creating campus collaborations on alcohol and drug education programming and prevention efforts.
“Thanks to the grassroots efforts of Champlin Park High School principal, Mike George, the district currently partners with Know the Truth to provide chemical health support groups in our high schools,” O’Neil said. “We will continually work to meet the needs of our students by collaborating with available resources in our communities as well as those we already have in place.”
If you have questions or concerns regarding chemical health in the district, Colleen O’Neil can be reached at 763-506-1145 or at Colleen.Oneil@ahschools.us.