Teen use of vaping products has been at the forefront of discussion among just about anyone who deals with youth regularly the last several months and a local mental health professional says he has concerns regarding the impacts of the legalization of marijuana on this epidemic.
Wednesday morning on the WHOW Morning Show, Tony Kirkman, Executive Director of the Piatt County Mental Health Center, indicated to Regional Radio News the vaping epidemic was targeted as an area of concern by the Illinois Children's Mental Health Partnership.
Vaping usage is on the rise among teens across the country and Kirkman says vaping devices are getting very sophisticated and the legalization of marijuana come the first of the year is only going to increase their access to those products.
Kirkman is concerned with the increased access to THC vaping products because studies have shown the human brain is not fully developed until 25 years and the chronic use of these mind-altering drugs can have devastating impacts.
Kirkman explains keeping up with the latest trends in vaping and its devices is a lot like social media - as soon as you get things cornered in one area, another new trend arises. He says it's a constantly moving target.
