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Realities, Dangers, and Challenges

In my role as co-president of the PTO at Polson, I attended a recent Madison Youth & Family Services (MYFS) board meeting. Among many important points discussed that evening was a call to action by the Daniel Hand High School (DHHS) student representatives who serve on that board, in response to e-cigarette use at DHHS and in town. In addition, e-cigarette use and the response to same at DHHS were a focus of a recent article in this newspaper (“Madison Town and School Officials Work to Tackle Rise in E-Cigarette Use Among Teens,” Oct. 2). In response to these accounts, the Polson PTO, in conjunction with MYFS and MADE in Madison, is presenting Smoke Screen, An Educational Program for Parents, Guardians, Teachers & Community Members, on Wednesday evening, Nov. 28, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the library at Polson. Parents, caregivers, and guardians of children of all ages, from all schools, are invited to this important presentation.

Mis-information about e-cigarettes and vaping abound, and children in Madison, like communities around the country, are suffering at the hands of ruthless promotion by tobacco companies. I encourage your readers to come and learn more about the realities, dangers, and challenges facing our community as a result of this health crisis. The evening will consist of a presentation of facts, data, and sample paraphernalia by Scott Cochran of MYFS and Catherine Barden from MADE. Following this informative session, a panel of local experts will be a part of a community conversation on the topic of e-cigarette use in our community. Guests include a pediatrician, DHHS students, parents, and staff from MYFS, MADE, and Madison Public Schools. For more information, please contact me via PolsonPTOMadison@gmail.com. Please join in the conversation and help us help our kids stay safe.

Beth Skudder

Madison