As a follow-up to the Fall 2022 Healthy Communities Newsletter, we wanted to share information about the upcoming Youth-led Cannabis Use Prevention: Peer 2 Peer Training Program

Teens who use cannabis may be at higher risk for learning and memory challenges, anxiety and depression. According to Washington’s most recent Healthy Youth Survey results (2021), many teens perceive using cannabis as a low-risk activity.

To help address this issue, United General will be hosting their free Peer 2 Peer training program this November to guide high school students to become peer health educators. Peer educators are trained and certified to teach younger peers about health, coping with stress, the effects of cannabis, social norms, media influence, and more. Youth-led prevention can serve as a platform for leadership development, and an opportunity to foster important skills for implementing positive social change in our communities. 

To be eligible for the training, participants must be high school students, and must obtain parental and teacher permission to be out of school. Students must also be substance free while participating as peer educators. 

The all-day trainings will be held on November 4 in Mount Vernon and November 10 in Anacortes (students only need to attend one session).

Adult advisors of high school students interested in the training must register by October 26 through this LINK.

For questions, please contact Alicia.Guildner@UnitedGeneral.org.