Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 9/21/2022
LUDLOW – On Sept. 29, Ludlow CARES Coalition is planning speaking events during the school day for students in grades 7-12 and an evening webinar for parents to hear Laura Stack’s story and message about the risks of today’s high-THC marijuana on adolescent brain development, mental illness, and suicide.
Laura Stack is the mother of Johnny Stack who took his own life at the age of 19 in November 2019 after smoking marijuana for around five years.
“At 18, he experienced psychosis and delusional episodes, a suicide attempt, and by 19, full-blown schizophrenia Tragically, despite our repeated efforts at rehab and support, he refused to take the antipsychotic medication he now needed, and he died by suicide on November 20, 2019, convinced the mob was after him and ‘everyone knew everything about him,’” she said.
Laura created Johnny’s Ambassadors after her son’s death. It is a nonprofit alliance of individuals and organizations around the globe concerned about the harms of youth marijuana use.
They use scientific research to teach the impacts of today’s high-THC marijuana on youth mental illness and suicide ideation. Their mission is “to educate parents and teens about the risks of today’s high-THC marijuana on adolescent brain development, mental illness, and suicide. Research shows today’s high-potency marijuana causes mental health issues and higher incidence of suicide when used recreationally and illegally under 21 years of age.”
The Ludlow CARES Coalition hired Johnny Ambassadors and have asked Laura to speak to at Ludlow High School, Baird Middle School, and host a webinar with the parents that same night to talk about her story and findings. Ludlow CARES Coalition President Laura Rooney said, “We set up this event to after some recent concerns and research relating to THC-induced psychosis. We hope to resonate with parents and kids the dangers that are coming out and bring education so that they can make an informed decision.”
The Ludlow CARES Coalition is a community run organization that addresses issues relating to our community, our youth, our residents, and our businesses. CARES is a diverse communitywide organization united in providing opportunities to create a healthy environment that allows our youth to be successful. “We feel that the voice of danger for kids isn’t that loud right now” Rooney added. “Someone from our coalition heard Stack speak at a seminar and thought it would be perfect to have her speak to the students and parents in our community to help them learn and be more aware of possible dangers.”
Parents should be on the lookout for more information regarding the event as their will be more information with a link provided for the webinar being sent home with students. You can register for the event but if that day does not work, there will be a recording available of it for 30 days.
To learn or read more about Johnny’s Ambassadors and their mission, visit johnnysambassadors.org.