Adolescent use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has increased dramatically, with younger and nicotine-naive adolescents starting to use these devices and use them more frequently than combustible cigarettes. In emerging evidence, it is shown that e-cigarettes are not effective in helping adult smokers quit and that youth using e-cigarettes are at risk for becoming nicotine dependent and continuing to use as adults. Important gaps in our knowledge remain regarding the long-term health impact of e-cigarettes, effective strategies to prevent and reduce adolescent e-cigarette use, and the impact of provider screening and counseling to address this new method of nicotine use.

In response to the growing impact of the current opioid public health crisis in the United States on adolescents and young adults, pediatricians have an expanding role in identifying opioid use early, preventing escalation of risky use, reducing opioid-related harms, and delivering effective therapies. Research and expert consensus suggest the use of brief interventions focused on reducing risks associated with ongoing opioid use and using motivational interviewing strategies to engage youth in treatment. Because fatal opioid overdose remains a major cause of opioid-related mortality among youth, delivering overdose education as part of any visit in which a youth endorses opioid use is one evidence-based strategy to decrease the burden of opioid-related mortality. For youth that are injecting opioids, safe injection practices and linkage to needle or syringe exchanges should be considered to reduce complications from injection drug use. It is crucial that youth be offered treatment at the time of diagnosis of an opioid use disorder (OUD), including medications, behavioral interventions, and/or referral to mutual support groups. The 2 medications commonly used for office-based OUD treatment in adolescents are extended-release naltrexone (opioid antagonist) and buprenorphine (partial opioid agonist), although there is a significant treatment gap in prescribing these medications to youth, especially adolescents <18 years of age. Addiction is a pediatric disease that pediatricians and adolescent medicine physicians are uniquely poised to manage, given their expertise in longitudinal, preventive, and family- and patient-centered care. Growing evidence supports the need for integration of OUD treatment into primary care.

A remarkable story which came to a climax on February 23 this year when OM Ireland took possession of the deeds to Lacken House as their new headquarters and ministry centre.

An outreach team learns the value of sharing their personal testimonies and what a little light can do to a community.

One Irish family experienced the transforming love of God...one woman at a time.

“Looking around that pub at the various people enjoying their tea, I started really thinking about what he’d said,” Hannah remembers. “Praying for revival…In a country that many have come to learn is spiritually dark, have we given up on praying for the people? Has the belief in revival died, or are we still trusting that God can move in a mighty way?”

In 2008, OM Ireland purchased Lacken House to be their headquarters. Ten years and hundreds of people later, the team continues to minister from the heart of Ireland.

Africa Trek Coordinator Eduard* reflects on God's gifts: his life, his wife and 13 participants sharing the Gospel with Topnaar and Himba peoples in Namibia.

Walvis Bay, Namibia :: Logos Hope's volunteers rebuild a flimsy church and encourage the grieving pastor and congregation.

Forest Hill is a town in the Lockyer Valley infamous for being one of three towns in Queensland completely evacuated during last January's floods. About 300 people were airlifted by helicopters to higher ground leaving behind homes, all belongings and even pets. They had no idea what would come of those things left behind. OM Australia suggested the idea as a good way to utilise some funds donated to flood recovery. The Forest Hill Development Association Inc. in conjunction with the Laidley Baptist Church used this money to put on a community fair. It was an opportunity for the town to say thank you to those who had helped with the flood clean up and also to build the morale of the community. At the same time the involvement of the Church would raise the profile of Christ in the community.

Teens gather in Warwick, Queensland this week for OM Australia's TeenStreet.

Initiating conversation with a man at the entrance of the Syrian club, Ben* learnt about his pain and encouraged him to consider God's truth.

OM worker is amazed to see God change lives, as he peers over his book table on a busy Muslim street in Australia.

MAP Australia hosts Bound for Paradise, a week-long outreach to Muslims from the Persian Gulf in Queensland, Australia, from 25-29 August.

On 22 August, 150 people climbed in the inaugural OM Boonah Freedom Climb to raise awareness and funding for the Jogini girls of India.

Loving our Muslim neighbours is an opportunity and privilege.

“The climb has taken me far beyond the mountain,” says Canadian Freedom Climber Denise Heppner, who knows that helping even one person makes a difference.

Sport creates a platform for evangelism and discipleship in Ukraine.

OM Ukraine's sports team equips and trains churches in using non-traditional sports in their summer camps.

A Ukrainian pastor responds to nearly 100 per cent unemployment in his village by starting biofuel and cash crop business enterprises.

The OM team in Odessa, Ukraine, regularly visits orphanages in the province, bringing love and the good news to children.

OM Ukraine's team in Odessa heads up the annual All-Ukrainian Day of Prayer for Orphans in the Odessa province.

An OM Ukraine leader reports that amidst ongoing conflict, deep changes are taking place that OM Ukraine expects will lead to spiritual harvest.

The OM Ukraine team in Vinnitsa hosts a summer camp and experiences unity with churches and transformation with children.

OM Ukraine Odessa invites children with autism and their families to a two-day summer camp.

A 17 year old high school student shares about how she fled from the war zone and came to stay at OM Odessa's centre.

Through the "Lighthouse" soccer team, Maksim Shlikov is reaching out to young orphanage graduates looking for meaning and hope.

OM Ukraine and experts in crisis management held a seminar for pastors serving on both sides of the conflict line in Eastern Ukraine.

Short Term Mission participants bring inspiration to Ukraine's churches for ministry amongst the aged and internally displaced people.

Long-term follower of Jesus, Nikolay, stepped out in faith to help orphans in Ukraine, and partners with OM in this ministry to children.

International short-term volunteers reach out to an elderly Jewish couple and share comfort from God's Word.

Turning organic waste into bio-fuel and French-fry oil into bio-diesel; all these are innovative ways of building sustainable income for the church in Kaharlyk.

OM Panama launches the new International Intensive School of Missions and hosts a new session of Mission Extreme.

OM Panama team members struggle to continue ministry as the Gnöbe Buglé people protest and bring the country to a halt.

A man goes from being sought by gangsters to being sought by God.

Students from OM Panama’s International Intensive School of Missions experience a different world inside a mosque in Panama City.

Lighthouse Ministries builds a kitchen to transform a community in Panama.

Workers of OM Panama remind young boys with a troubled past that God has a purpose for their lives.

Volunteers from OM Panama build a roof on a dumping place to be able to minister during raining season.

Since OM Panama started visiting the garbage dump, a shy old man attends the programmes faithfully. He is anxiously looking for answers in the Bible.

A woman in the ministry "Jewel of Hope" from OM Panama is moved by an act of love of her friends.

Founded by Wendy H Gilmour in 2011, Thankfifi began as a fashion blog and has since grown to cover lifestyle, travel and interiors.

Compiled by Antigoni Markitani

Compiled by: Antigoni Markitani

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