Board of Health

Skokie Board of Health Committee Meeting Minutes November 14, 2019 Present Excused Absent Mr. Abbasi Ms. Urbanus Dr. Dave Ms. Moy-Wooten Dr. Gaynes Mr. Usman Dr. Drachler Ms. Jones Ms. Varma Ms. Nickisch Duggan Mr. Pandya Dr. Vernon Ms. Haido Dr. Shim Dr. Werner Dr. Prince Dr. Sood Dr. Youkhana Dr. Topouzian Dr. Williams Bruce A. Jones, Staff Guest, Katie Chess Guest, Molly Frey Guest, Shelly Frey I. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Ms. Jones, Vice-Chair. II. Approval of Board of Health Meeting Minutes, Materials Distributed: The minutes of the October 10th meeting were approved as presented. III. PEER Services Vaping Presentation: Mr. Cole Thompson and Ms. Ria Kataria, Prevention Program Coordinator and Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist (copy attached) Mr. Thompson and Ms. Kataria gave a very informative presentation on the Vaping crisis occurring across the US, Illinois and Skokie. • PEER Services is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to eliminate substance use and the problems it causes for individuals, and families. We have provided community-based substance abuse prevention and treatment services to residents of Evanston, Northfield, New Trier, Maine and Niles Townships, and the north side of Chicago since 1975. • PEER Services spoke to parents and freshman students (during home room) at Niles Township High Schools last year, and will do so again this year. • The speakers tag-teamed the presentation, first giving an overview of e-cigarettes, how the devices work and the toxic chemicals that they contain. o Teens are generally unaware of the high nicotine levels often contained in these products. For example, 1 JUUL Pod = 1 Pack of Cigarettes o The number of teens who report vaping has increased alarmingly: 30% of 12 grade students in non-Chicago Cook County reported vaping in 2018. o Vaping is a gateway drug. Teens that vape are three times more likely to use marijuana and six times more likely to smoke cigarettes than non-cigarette users.  • The presenters shared common ways that teens hide their vaping from adults – through devices made to look like harmless items (a sharpie pen, a jump drive, a cell phone case, fabric softener box, hair brush, beverage bottles – the possibilities seem endless ) • Laws prohibiting vaping and regulation - o Tobacco 21 – one approach to limit underage vaping and use of tobacco products. Illinois adopted Tobacco 21 on July 1, 2019. The law specifically prohibits the sale of any tobacco, vaping, or liquid nicotine product to anyone younger than 21 in the state of Illinois. o The presenters showed a timeline: JUUL was introduced in 2015 with a hugely successful marketing campaign and flavored liquids targeting kids. By 2018 JUUL executives were forced by Congress and the FDA to shut down their social media campaign. o Michigan, New York and Massachusetts have banned flavored e-liquids; CNN and Walmart have prohibited sales and advertising. • On the other hand, the legalization of cannabis in Illinois is most concerning. Numerous northern suburbs plan to allow the sale of cannabis-containing products, including Skokie. • The presenters discussed the vaping-associated lung injury cases, first reported by Wisconsin physicians in July 2019. VAPI predominantly affects young, healthy people, and the lung damage looks similar to chemical burns. Thus far there have been 1,299 severe illnesses and 29 deaths in the U.S. In November 2019, the CDC reported a breakthrough, with Vitamin E Acetate identified as a causative agent • Schools are taking a number of actions to monitor students for vaping. The most common practices include: surveillance cameras in restrooms and other areas (46%), limiting the number of students in the restroom and time allowed (36%), and teachers monitoring the restroom (23%) o About 23% of schools reported taking no action thus far • Mr. Thompson mentioned how the Skokie Health Department and Human Services had pulled together in this very room a group of high schools students, school administrators, service providers and law enforcement to have the first of what will be many conversations about vaping. • Mr. Thompson mentioned how the students described feeling embarrassed and “criminalized” for vaping, which makes it hard for them to seek help with quitting. Dr. Counard added that the teens said anyone who is still vaping despite the deaths has issues in their life they are struggling with and should not be punished, which creates fear. This ties in with our work on Adverse Childhood Experiences, and reflects what she has heard from adult smokers trying to quit. • The schools are struggling; parents and administrators are worried but punishment alone is not a deterrent. Mr. Thompson mentioned that one of the schools he works with suspended 29 students in one month for vaping. Instead PEER Services is recommending therapeutic interventions that involve the entire family. Schools are also designing their own programs, for example “Saturday School” instead of suspension, where kids learn about the hazards. There is no proven approach. • The presenters concluded by sharing support options for people, including teens, who are trying to quit vaping. One novel approach is signing up to receive texts that give people very supportive, real time advice and access to tons of resources. #562198, Skokie Board of Health Meeting Minutes November 14, 2019  • Beyond PEER Services there are other nearby local resources, including Behavioral Service Center in Skokie, Yellowbrick in Evanston, and Rosecrance for all suburban Cook County. You can go to the PEER Services website Mr. Thompson and Ms. Kataria concluded their presentation, and responded to questions. Discussion Dr. Youkhana asked if there were any outcomes on the “Smokefree Text Messaging Programs”. Mr. Thompson replied that the programs are too new so there have been no true studies at this point. Dr. Shim asked about the issue of health officials in England recommending vaping as a form of smoking cessation. Ms. Kataria agreed that was the case, but said that vaping predominately leads to nicotine addiction and smoking. Dr. Shim asked if the severe lung illnesses are being seen in the U.K. or just the U.S. Ms. Kataria said that it is only being seen in the U.S., largely she thought because the vaping industry is much more regulated in the U.K. Ms. Jones asked if there is any information or education on the danger of using other smoking devices that are used to smoke tobacco or hookah or marijuana products. Ms. Kataria replied that most information and educational material is more generalized at this point in time. Ms. Urbanus asked about the cost of these items. Mr. Thompson and Ms. Kataria said costs vary but JUUL pods typically start around $25 while other advanced systems can range from $50-$100. Dr. Werner asked about the pods being powered by lithium batteries and the possibility of explosion. Mr. Thompson said that there have been many instances of devices exploding and catching on fire. IV. Jessica Jones, MA, Board of Health Vice Chair, Personal Statement Ms. Jones gave a brief personal and professional background overview to the Board. Mr. Abbasi will give his personal statement at the December meeting. V. Chair’s Report Ms. Jones mentioned the Village hosted a community forum on November 11th and Dr. Counard added that approximately 100 residents attended. The event was well received. All the comments and topics will be gathered and the final report will be brought forward to the Village Manager. Ms. Jones asked that all board members schedule an interview with Katie Chess, the graduate student who is working on the Health & Human Services 5 year strategic plan Ms. Jones thanked all the Board members who volunteered for the “Boomers & Beyond” event. The event had over 350 attendees and again was a great success. Ms. Jones mentioned that Village Manager John Lockerby will be next month’s speaker and asked Board members for any questions or topics they would like him to address. Dr. Counard will reach out to Mr. Lockerby before the meeting so he can be prepared. Ms. Jones asked what has been most impactful to Mr. Lockerby and what is on the horizon. #562198, Skokie Board of Health Meeting Minutes November 14, 2019  Dr. Werner asked about the construction on the 8000 North project. VI. Health Director’s Monthly Report: Dr. Counard presented the October Monthly Report – a copy is attached. Report highlights: Resolution Supporting a State-Wide Ban of Flavored E-Cigarette Liquid Approved On October 7, the Village Board unanimously resolved to urge the Governor of Illinois and the Illinois General Assembly to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarette liquids. Collective Conversation on Vaping Representatives from the Village, law enforcement, social service agencies, administrators and students from School District 219, met to discuss the current vaping epidemic. Community Flu Shot Clinics More than 2,000 flu shots were provided to Skokie residents during the community clinics held at Oakton Park. This program highlights the importance of influenza vaccination, trains nursing students from Oakton Community College, maintains emergency preparedness skills, and has more than 50 volunteers. Discussion Ms. Urbanus asked how the two community flu shot clinics this year compared to the three held last year. Dr. Counard and Mr. Jones replied that we were able to serve the same number of residents this year as in the previous year. Because our clinics are run so efficiently we were able to reduce to only two clinics this year, which is very helpful from an operations standpoint. Mr. Abbasi asked why we were denied Medicare reimbursement for flu shots. Dr. Counard explained that it was due to the increasing number of Medicare recipients being in the Medicare Advantage HMO programs that will not allow the Health Department to bill for this service. Some of the insurance companies are also requiring pre-approval for the flu shot. Now that the Health Department is using a billing service, reimbursement should be a much easier ad successful process. Dr. Youkhana asked about the planned cannabis dispensaries. Dr. Counard and Mr. Jones explained that Village Code will allow only two dispensaries. Due to the code restrictions, the locations available are limited. A dispensary is planning to open at the Northwest corner of Skokie Blvd and Old Orchard Road, with the other possible area in the Southwest tract on Touhy Avenue. VII. Old/New Items of Business Ms. Urbanus and Mr. Abbasi mentioned the upcoming Interfaith Thanksgiving Service on November 26 at the Congregation Sukkat Shalom 1001 Central Avenue Wilmette, IL 60091 starting at 7:30pm Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:34 p.m. Next Meeting: December 12, 2019, 7:00 p.m. Village Hall 2nd Floor Conference Rooms D & E Speaker: John T. Lockerby, Village Manager #562198, Skokie Board of Health Meeting Minutes November 14, 2019