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Cannabis

It is important for youth to be informed of what is known about the harms of cannabis as cannabis use during adolescence can increase the risk of negative health outcomes and social harm.

Resources & Information for:

Lessons and Activities

  • OPHEA Cannabis Education Resources: Developed to provide educators and administrators access to evidence-informed information on substance use (specifically cannabis) to help students develop the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions to support their health and well-being. Engaging Cannabis Education Activity Plans are included for grades 5 to 12.
  • Mental Health Literacy- Cannabis - Resource for teachers, students, parents, and school clinicians about cannabis.  Includes a short video – 'Cannabis, Teens and Mental Health' (4:08 sec video) about the use and effects for teens, parents and educators. 
  • Youth Rex- Cannabis & Mental Health: Is an online resource about cannabis created by youth for youth. Educators can access a mentors guide around mental health and cannabis, and includes activities to help youth build resilience for managing stress, skills to problem solve, critically think, communicate and collaborate with others through the use of games, poems, articles, videos and reflection. French version (May need to turn on French subtitles for YouTube videos). Students can complete a 90-minute certificate course where they will learn how to support a friend, the effects of cannabis on your overall well-being, hear from youth with lived experiences, policy and legislation, and the effects of cannabis use. 
  • Ask, Listen, Learn: How Marijuana Affects the Developing Brain – An interactive lesson plan created by responsibility.org (USA). This lesson plan uses videos and activities to educate students about the endocannabinoid system, how cannabis affects the developing brain, body and behaviour so students can make informed decisions.
  • Substance Use- Interactive Jenga Trivia Game: Students remove the blocks and answer questions about substance use. Have students play 1:1 or in teams to earn points.
  • Refusal skills Activity: Classroom activities which allow students to practice their refusal skills when being faced with challenging situations related to substance use.
  • Mental Health and Addiction Nurse: 519-258-8211 or 1-888-447-4468- Students can call to talk about alcohol, cannabis, opioids, or other substances. A school, hospital, or community agency can also refer online or by calling the number above.
  • Get Help with Drug, Alcohol and Other Addictions in Windsor Essex County: list of local and provincial resources.
  • Youth Wellness Hub – For youth aged 12-25 offering walk-in mental health services, substance use and addiction services, access to a Nurse Practitioner for primary care, and community social services.  The Youth Wellness Hub also offers recreational activities and peer support. Services available in Windsor and Leamington locations.
  • WEConnectKids: a partnership between the five core service providers for child and youth mental health and addiction services in Windsor/Essex. It is a free, confidential mental health service for children, youth, and families who live in Windsor-Essex.
  • Windsor-Essex County Youth Services Card: provides contact information to local services for youth in Windsor-Essex County.
  • SAPACCY Program- The Substance Abuse Program for African, Caribbean, and Black Canadian Youth: Mental health and substance use services for individuals who identify as black and between 12-29 years of age. Call 519-253-8481 or visit wechc.org.
  • Kids Help Phone at 1 800 668-6868. 24 hours/7 days a week telephone or web chat service for children and youth. *Services in English and French.
  • ConnexOntario – Mental health, addiction, and problem gambling services.  Call (1-866-531-2600), email, chat or search for services in your community. ConnexOntario can also provide basic education about mental health, drug, alcohol, and problem gambling treatment services. 
  • Cannabis Help for Parents and Caregivers of Teens: Talking to your child or teen about cannabis can be challenging, here is some tips and information for talking to your teens.
  • Cannabis: What Parents/Guardians and Caregivers Need to Know- (CAMH and SMHO): This information sheet on cannabis provides information about cannabis, cannabis legalization, risks, signs of a problem, how to help your child and where to get more information and support. It is created for parents/caregivers of youth in grades 5 to 12.
  • Drug Free Canada- Parent Support Hub: 24/7 access to support from Drug Free Kids Canada to help you prevent/address/overcome a young persons problematic substance use by phone or online chat. 
  • Cannabis Talk Kit - Drug Free Kids Canada helps to learn how to set the stage to have an open dialogue with your pre-teen or teen
  • Cannabis Education Resources- Parents/Caregivers to help you better understand the new Canadian cannabis legal system, what it means for you, and the health facts related to cannabis use.
  • Canada’s Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines: Ten ways you can lower your risk of harm from cannabis use.
  • Ophea Healthy Schools Certification- (French Version): Gives your school the tools to promote and enhance the health and well-being of students, school staff, and the broader school community. Contact your school nurse at 519-258-2146 x 1555 for more information on how they can support your school in achieving a Healthy Schools Certification.

Smoke- Free Ontario Act (SFOA), 2017

The SFOA, 2017. regulates the sale, supply, display and promotion of tobacco products and vapour products, as well as the smoking of tobacco, the use of e-cigarettes to vape any substance, and the smoking of cannabis. If your school requires signage or complete the SFOA, 2017 signage order form.

School Complaints

  • The SFOA is enforced locally by the Tobacco and Vaping Enforcement Officers (TVEOs). If you have questions, contact the TVEO assigned to your school at ext. 3100 or submit a complaint online.
  • Local municipalities have bylaws in place offering further protections.

School Board Policies

  • School boards can set policy that influence the social & environmental norms students experience. Please refer to your specific school board and/or school’s policies and code of conduct on tobacco, vaping, cannabis, and substance use for further information. Individual schools should speak to their school boards about whether they can develop individual school policies.

School Campaigns/Presentations

  • Blueprint for Action: Preventing substance-related harms among youth through a Comprehensive School approach – This toolkit is for school communities, those working in the education system, and those who support youth, in addition to Canadian school stakeholders. The Blueprint model supports school community members in planning and carrying out a wide range of strategies for preventing substance-related harms among youth.  These strategies include upstream prevention, harm reduction, stigma reduction, and equity-oriented approaches.
  • Project Red Ribbon – MADD Canada campaign committing to driving sober.  Campaign runs from November 1st to January 3rd yearly. 
  • Final Play (MADD CANADA) – School presentation from MADD Canada bringing awareness to impaired driving (alcohol and drug) and risk reduction messaging for students in grades 7 through 12. Teaching resources available for download prior to presentation for classroom use.  Available in French. 
  • SmartWheels (MADD Canada) – Mobile classroom interactive presentation for grades 7 & 8 students about the risks of experimenting with alcohol and drugs and how they can avoid becoming passengers in vehicles with impaired drivers. Teaching resources are available for download prior to presentation for classroom use.  Currently only available in English. 
  • Weed Out the Risk (MADD, Springboard, & CAMH partnership) – Interactive, harm reduction program challenging teens’ misconceptions about cannabis and riding with someone/driving impaired.  Intended for grades 9-12 but will offer where feasible to grades 7 & 8 also. The program engages students through discussion, games, activities and videos.  Educators’ guide available prior to presentation for classroom use. 
  • Mental Health and Addiction Nurse: 519-258-8211 or 1-888-447-4468- Students can call to talk about alcohol, cannabis, opioids, or other substances. A school, hospital, or community agency can also refer online or by calling the number above.
  • Get Help with Drug, Alcohol and Other Addictions in Windsor Essex County: list of local and provincial resources.
  • Youth Wellness Hub – For youth aged 12-25 offering walk-in mental health services, substance use and addiction services, access to a Nurse Practitioner for primary care, and community social services.  The Youth Wellness Hub also offers recreational activities and peer support. Services available in Windsor and Leamington locations.
  • WEConnectKids: a partnership between the five core service providers for child and youth mental health and addiction services in Windsor/Essex. It is a free, confidential mental health service for children, youth, and families who live in Windsor-Essex.
  • Windsor-Essex County Youth Services Card: provides contact information to local services for youth in Windsor-Essex County.
  • SAPACCY Program- The Substance Abuse Program for African, Caribbean, and Black Canadian Youth: Mental health and substance use services for individuals who identify as black and between 12-29 years of age. Call 519-253-8481 or visit wechc.org.
  • Kids Help Phone at 1 800 668-6868. 24 hours/7 days a week telephone or web chat service for children and youth. *Services in English and French.
  • ConnexOntario – Mental health, addiction, and problem gambling services.  Call (1-866-531-2600), email, chat or search for services in your community. ConnexOntario can also provide basic education about mental health, drug, alcohol, and problem gambling treatment services. 
  • Cannabis Help for Parents and Caregivers of Teens: Talking to your child or teen about cannabis can be challenging, here is some tips and information for talking to your teens.
  • Cannabis: What Parents/Guardians and Caregivers Need to Know- (CAMH and SMHO): This information sheet on cannabis provides information about cannabis, cannabis legalization, risks, signs of a problem, how to help your child and where to get more information and support. It is created for parents/caregivers of youth in grades 5 to 12.
  • Drug Free Canada- Parent Support Hub: 24/7 access to support from Drug Free Kids Canada to help you prevent/address/overcome a young persons problematic substance use by phone or online chat. 
  • Cannabis Talk Kit - Drug Free Kids Canada helps to learn how to set the stage to have an open dialogue with your pre-teen or teen
  • Cannabis Education Resources- Parents/Caregivers to help you better understand the new Canadian cannabis legal system, what it means for you, and the health facts related to cannabis use.
  • Canada’s Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines: Ten ways you can lower your risk of harm from cannabis use.
  • Mental Health and Addiction Nurse: 519-258-8211 or 1-888-447-4468- Students can call to talk about alcohol, cannabis, opioids, or other substances. A school, hospital, or community agency can also refer online or by calling the number above.
  • Get Help with Drug, Alcohol and Other Addictions in Windsor Essex County: list of local and provincial resources.
  • Youth Wellness Hub – For youth aged 12-25 offering walk-in mental health services, substance use and addiction services, access to a Nurse Practitioner for primary care, and community social services.  The Youth Wellness Hub also offers recreational activities and peer support. Services available in Windsor and Leamington locations.
  • WEConnectKids: a partnership between the five core service providers for child and youth mental health and addiction services in Windsor/Essex. It is a free, confidential mental health service for children, youth, and families who live in Windsor-Essex.
  • Windsor-Essex County Youth Services Card: provides contact information to local services for youth in Windsor-Essex County.
  • SAPACCY Program- The Substance Abuse Program for African, Caribbean, and Black Canadian Youth: Mental health and substance use services for individuals who identify as black and between 12-29 years of age. Call 519-253-8481 or visit wechc.org.
  • Kids Help Phone at 1 800 668-6868. 24 hours/7 days a week telephone or web chat service for children and youth. *Services in English and French.
  • ConnexOntario – Mental health, addiction, and problem gambling services.  Call (1-866-531-2600), email, chat or search for services in your community. ConnexOntario can also provide basic education about mental health, drug, alcohol, and problem gambling treatment services. 
  • Cannabis Help for Parents and Caregivers of Teens: Talking to your child or teen about cannabis can be challenging, here is some tips and information for talking to your teens.
  • Cannabis: What Parents/Guardians and Caregivers Need to Know- (CAMH and SMHO): This information sheet on cannabis provides information about cannabis, cannabis legalization, risks, signs of a problem, how to help your child and where to get more information and support. It is created for parents/caregivers of youth in grades 5 to 12.
  • Drug Free Canada- Parent Support Hub: 24/7 access to support from Drug Free Kids Canada to help you prevent/address/overcome a young persons problematic substance use by phone or online chat. 
  • Cannabis Talk Kit - Drug Free Kids Canada helps to learn how to set the stage to have an open dialogue with your pre-teen or teen
  • Cannabis Education Resources- Parents/Caregivers to help you better understand the new Canadian cannabis legal system, what it means for you, and the health facts related to cannabis use.
  • Canada’s Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines: Ten ways you can lower your risk of harm from cannabis use.

School Campaigns/Presentations

  • Blueprint for Action: Preventing substance-related harms among youth through a Comprehensive School approach – This toolkit is for school communities, those working in the education system, and those who support youth, in addition to Canadian school stakeholders. The Blueprint model supports school community members in planning and carrying out a wide range of strategies for preventing substance-related harms among youth.  These strategies include upstream prevention, harm reduction, stigma reduction, and equity-oriented approaches.
  • Project Red Ribbon – MADD Canada campaign committing to driving sober.  Campaign runs from November 1st to January 3rd yearly. 
  • Final Play (MADD CANADA) – School presentation from MADD Canada bringing awareness to impaired driving (alcohol and drug) and risk reduction messaging for students in grades 7 through 12. Teaching resources available for download prior to presentation for classroom use.  Available in French. 
  • SmartWheels (MADD Canada) – Mobile classroom interactive presentation for grades 7 & 8 students about the risks of experimenting with alcohol and drugs and how they can avoid becoming passengers in vehicles with impaired drivers. Teaching resources are available for download prior to presentation for classroom use.  Currently only available in English. 
  • Weed Out the Risk (MADD, Springboard, & CAMH partnership) – Interactive, harm reduction program challenging teens’ misconceptions about cannabis and riding with someone/driving impaired.  Intended for grades 9-12 but will offer where feasible to grades 7 & 8 also. The program engages students through discussion, games, activities and videos.  Educators’ guide available prior to presentation for classroom use. 

Smoking and Vaping

Educating youth about substance use is important to help them develop skills and knowledge to make healthier choices. Even though vaping is considered to be less harmful than smoking, there are still risks for youth to consider.

Resources & Information for:

Resources

  • WECHU- Vaping Toolkit: an overview of vaping resources organized in the foundations for a healthy framework. Available in English and French.
  • WECHU-Vaping Backgrounder: an overview of vaping that provides educators with information they need to prepare for a lesson on vaping.
  • Vaping – What Elementary Educators Need to Know (CAMH and SMHO) (French version) (Grades 1-8) – A fact sheet provides general information about vaping and outlines important facts, associated risks, and additional resources to support educators in having informed conversations with students.
  • Vaping – What Secondary Educators Need to Know (CAMH and SMHO) (French version) (Grades 9-12) – A fact sheet provides general information about vaping and outlines important facts, associated risks, and additional resources to support educators in having informed conversations with students.

Lessons and Activities

Contact your school’s Public Health Nurse or the Healthy School’s Department to book, or for more information on, these resources. Healthy School hotline: (519) 258-2146, ext. 1555.

  • WECHU- Substance Use- Interactive Jenga Trivia Game: Students remove the blocks and answer questions about substance use. Have students play 1:1 or in teams to earn points.
  • WECHU-Cigarette Chemical Roll-Out Display: This resource is an oversized cigarette that features a roll-out list of the chemical ingredients. It can be used to demonstrate the large quantity of dangerous chemicals in each cigarette.

Local Support and Resources

  • WECHU- How to Talk to Your Child About Vaping - A Resource for Parents/Caregivers: Resource that educates parents/caregivers about why kids vape, tips for talking to kids about vaping, and where to get help.
  • Where to Get Help with Tobacco and Vaping in Windsor-Essex County
  • Mental Health and Addiction Nurse: 519-258-8211 or 1-888-447-4468- Students can call to talk about alcohol, cannabis, opioids, or other substances. A school, hospital, or community agency can also refer online or by calling the number above.
  • WEConnectKids: a partnership between the five core service providers for child and youth mental health and addiction services in Windsor/Essex.
  • Youth Wellness Hub – For youth aged 12-25 offering walk-in mental health services, substance use and addiction services, access to a Nurse Practitioner for primary care, and community social services.  The Youth Wellness Hub also offers recreational activities and peer support. Services available in Windsor and Leamington locations.
  • SAPACCY Program- The Substance Abuse Program for African, Caribbean, and Black Canadian Youth: Mental health and substance use services for individuals who identify as black and between 12-29 years of age. Call 519-253-8481 or visit wechc.org.

Additional Support and Resources

  • Government of Canada- About vaping: A website with vaping information, tips for parents, videos, and more.
  • Drug Free Kids- Youth and Vaping- a growing trend: Information for parents/caregivers about vaping trends. Includes a link to the Youth and Vaping Guide (PDF) to help start the conversation with your child about vaping.
  • Drug Free Canada- Parent Support Hub: 24/7 access to support from Drug Free Kids Canada to help you prevent/address/overcome a young persons problematic substance use by phone or online chat.
  • Talking with Your Teen about Vaping - Caring for kids, Canadian Pediatric Society
  • Kids Help Phone at 1 800 668-6868. 24 hours/7 days a week telephone or web chat service for children and youth. *Services in English and French.
  • ConnexOntario – Mental health, addiction, and problem gambling services.  Call (1-866-531-2600), email, chat or search for services in your community. ConnexOntario can also provide basic education about mental health, drug, alcohol, and problem gambling treatment services. 
  • Health811: Call 8-1-1 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007), a free, secure, confidential service Ontarians can call or access online 24 hours a day, seven days a week to receive health advice from qualified health professionals, such as registered nurses, locate local health services. Can access resources or chat live online.
  • Quash App: a mobile app that offers support for youth to quit vaping and smoking.
  • Smokers' Helpline: a web and text messaging app offering smoking support to quit for those 18 and over.
  • OPHEA Healthy Schools Certification- (French Version). Gives your school the tools to promote and enhance the health and well-being of students, school staff, and the broader school community. Contact your school nurse at 519-258-2146 x 1555 for more information on how they can support your school in achieving a Healthy Schools Certification.

Smoke- Free Ontario Act (SFOA), 2017

The SFOA, 2017. regulates the sale, supply, display and promotion of tobacco products and vapour products, as well as the smoking of tobacco, the use of e-cigarettes to vape any substance, and the smoking of cannabis. If your school requires signage or complete the SFOA, 2017 signage order form.

School Complaints

  • The SFOA is enforced locally by the Tobacco and Vaping Enforcement Officers (TVEOs). If you have questions, contact the TVEO assigned to your school at ext. 3100 or submit a complaint online.
  • Local municipalities have by-laws in place offering further protections.

School Board Policies

School boards can set policy that influence the social & environmental norms students experience. Please refer to your specific school board and/or school’s policies and code of conduct on tobacco, vaping, and substance use for further information. Individual schools should speak to their school boards about whether they can develop individual school policies.

Local Support and Resources

  • WECHU- How to Talk to Your Child About Vaping - A Resource for Parents/Caregivers: Resource that educates parents/caregivers about why kids vape, tips for talking to kids about vaping, and where to get help.
  • Where to Get Help with Tobacco and Vaping in Windsor-Essex County
  • Mental Health and Addiction Nurse: 519-258-8211 or 1-888-447-4468- Students can call to talk about alcohol, cannabis, opioids, or other substances. A school, hospital, or community agency can also refer online or by calling the number above.
  • WEConnectKids: a partnership between the five core service providers for child and youth mental health and addiction services in Windsor/Essex.
  • Youth Wellness Hub – For youth aged 12-25 offering walk-in mental health services, substance use and addiction services, access to a Nurse Practitioner for primary care, and community social services.  The Youth Wellness Hub also offers recreational activities and peer support. Services available in Windsor and Leamington locations.
  • SAPACCY Program- The Substance Abuse Program for African, Caribbean, and Black Canadian Youth: Mental health and substance use services for individuals who identify as black and between 12-29 years of age. Call 519-253-8481 or visit wechc.org.

Additional Support and Resources

  • Government of Canada- About vaping: A website with vaping information, tips for parents, videos, and more.
  • Drug Free Kids- Youth and Vaping- a growing trend: Information for parents/caregivers about vaping trends. Includes a link to the Youth and Vaping Guide (PDF) to help start the conversation with your child about vaping.
  • Drug Free Canada- Parent Support Hub: 24/7 access to support from Drug Free Kids Canada to help you prevent/address/overcome a young persons problematic substance use by phone or online chat.
  • Talking with Your Teen about Vaping - Caring for kids, Canadian Pediatric Society
  • Kids Help Phone at 1 800 668-6868. 24 hours/7 days a week telephone or web chat service for children and youth. *Services in English and French.
  • ConnexOntario – Mental health, addiction, and problem gambling services.  Call (1-866-531-2600), email, chat or search for services in your community. ConnexOntario can also provide basic education about mental health, drug, alcohol, and problem gambling treatment services. 
  • Health811: Call 8-1-1 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007), a free, secure, confidential service Ontarians can call or access online 24 hours a day, seven days a week to receive health advice from qualified health professionals, such as registered nurses, locate local health services. Can access resources or chat live online.
  • Quash App: a mobile app that offers support for youth to quit vaping and smoking.
  • Smokers' Helpline: a web and text messaging app offering smoking support to quit for those 18 and over.

Local Support and Resources

  • WECHU- How to Talk to Your Child About Vaping - A Resource for Parents/Caregivers: Resource that educates parents/caregivers about why kids vape, tips for talking to kids about vaping, and where to get help.
  • Where to Get Help with Tobacco and Vaping in Windsor-Essex County
  • Mental Health and Addiction Nurse: 519-258-8211 or 1-888-447-4468- Students can call to talk about alcohol, cannabis, opioids, or other substances. A school, hospital, or community agency can also refer online or by calling the number above.
  • WEConnectKids: a partnership between the five core service providers for child and youth mental health and addiction services in Windsor/Essex.
  • Youth Wellness Hub – For youth aged 12-25 offering walk-in mental health services, substance use and addiction services, access to a Nurse Practitioner for primary care, and community social services.  The Youth Wellness Hub also offers recreational activities and peer support. Services available in Windsor and Leamington locations.
  • SAPACCY Program- The Substance Abuse Program for African, Caribbean, and Black Canadian Youth: Mental health and substance use services for individuals who identify as black and between 12-29 years of age. Call 519-253-8481 or visit wechc.org.

Additional Support and Resources

  • Government of Canada- About vaping: A website with vaping information, tips for parents, videos, and more.
  • Drug Free Kids- Youth and Vaping- a growing trend: Information for parents/caregivers about vaping trends. Includes a link to the Youth and Vaping Guide (PDF) to help start the conversation with your child about vaping.
  • Drug Free Canada- Parent Support Hub: 24/7 access to support from Drug Free Kids Canada to help you prevent/address/overcome a young persons problematic substance use by phone or online chat.
  • Talking with Your Teen about Vaping - Caring for kids, Canadian Pediatric Society
  • Kids Help Phone at 1 800 668-6868. 24 hours/7 days a week telephone or web chat service for children and youth. *Services in English and French.
  • ConnexOntario – Mental health, addiction, and problem gambling services.  Call (1-866-531-2600), email, chat or search for services in your community. ConnexOntario can also provide basic education about mental health, drug, alcohol, and problem gambling treatment services. 
  • Health811: Call 8-1-1 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007), a free, secure, confidential service Ontarians can call or access online 24 hours a day, seven days a week to receive health advice from qualified health professionals, such as registered nurses, locate local health services. Can access resources or chat live online.
  • Quash App: a mobile app that offers support for youth to quit vaping and smoking.
  • Smokers' Helpline: a web and text messaging app offering smoking support to quit for those 18 and over.