Chautauqua Alcohol & Substance Abuse Council (CASAC) has partnered with Jamestown Community College to offer a free educational session for community members and students on current information regarding e-cigarettes and vapors. The session is entitled “ENDS Are Here — overview of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems.”

The Presenter, Kenneth Dahlgren, MPH, is a Tobacco-Free Community Outreach coordinator/educator with NYS Department of Health, advancing tobacco free communities program administered by Roswell Park Cancer Institute/Health Research Inc.

The session will take place on Thursday, Sept 14 from 4-5 p.m. at the Jamestown Community College Carnahan Building, 525 Falconer St., Jamestown.

Participants will gain an understanding of social issues, health effects, and addiction issues around the use of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Devices. Discussed will be the most commonly used ENDS products, new products being developed, and the effects of nicotine use on both youth and adults. This informational session will include a brief overview of the tobacco industry and where ENDS fit in to their product line, as well as current concerns regarding ENDS — including dual/multiple use, and current ENDS regulations in New York state.

Kenneth Dahlgren, MPH, is a Tobacco-Free Community Engagement coordinator for Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties. He lives in Frewsburg and is a lifelong resident of Chautauqua County. Dahlgren received his A.S. in Biology from Jamestown Community College, B.S. from SUNY Fredonia in education and an MPH degree from A.T. Still University. He has worked in public health for the last 16 years in the areas of chronic disease prevention and management with much of this time concentrated in advocacy around tobacco control and tobacco-free policy. His work as a local partner for the New York State Tobacco Control Program concentrated on local implementation of the statewide youth anti-tobacco program (Reality Check); a three-year research project focused on determining best practices for engaging college students in tobacco-free advocacy; and the Colleges for Change program focused on the development of tobacco-free policies for colleges and universities. Most recently he is serving as the community engagement coordinator for Tobacco-Free Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties and serves on the NYS tobacco control regional and statewide representative boards to help shape and advice on upcoming tobacco control interventions. For several years, he has partnered with The National Center for Tobacco Policy to train campus officials across the U.S. to develop effective and sustainable tobacco free campus policies built upon a culture of mutual respect. This has included organizing and presenting at three National Tobacco Free Campus Policy Conferences.

During his time in tobacco control, Dahlgren has also worked at building global partnerships around tobacco and has helped to establish tobacco free interventions in the UK, France, Nigeria, Thailand and Malaysia as well as creating several specific global action projects targeting tobacco industry marketing tactics. He has researched the actions of the transnational tobacco companies around global tobacco growing, production and marketing with specific focus on human rights, child labor and environmental violations. The results of his research and first hand experiences have been presented at numerous colleges and universities, as well as many conferences and trainings, around the world.

Community members interested in the topic are welcome and encouraged to attend. This course is also suitable for those seeking professional credentialing as a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor, Credentialed Prevention Professional or Credentialed Prevention Specialist. The 1 CPP/CPS (Sec. 1) hours are approved for CPP/CPS initial credit hours and for CASAC/CPP/CPS renewal by the New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services.

CASAC training offerings are suitable for community members that are aspiring to learn more about addictions, and other related topics to improve their lives and the lives of others. This course work is also recognized and approved by the Pennsylvania Certification Board through reciprocity.

This workshop is offered at no charge. Pre-registration is required. To register for the above course, contact CASAC or Kathleen Colby, director of Training Services at 664-3608, kjcolby@casacweb.org or visit the website: www.casacweb.org.

CASAC offers a number of community and professional educational opportunities throughout the year. Individualized on-site training, depending upon staff needs, is available. All trainings can be designed either as an in-service training, conference or workshop.

Since 1974, Chautauqua Alcohol & Substance Abuse Council, a United Way partner agency, has been providing prevention education and community awareness on alcohol, other drugs and compulsive gambling. CASAC is the only New York State Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services approved and supported alcohol and other drug prevention agency in Chautauqua County. For further information about CASAC services, call the Jamestown office at 664-3608, or the Dunkirk office at 366-4623 or visit the website: www.casacweb.org.