The Plymouth Board of Health convened on October 8, 2025, to address emerging public health threats and celebrate the return of student involvement in local government. Chairman Lorenzo Pizarro welcomed Madison Mack, a senior at Plymouth North High School, as a returning student representative. Mack highlighted the importance of giving young residents a platform, stating, I felt like being one like single student in such a large town like Plymouth... having a way where I feel like my voice was actually heard was just such like an amazing experience. The board praised the ongoing partnership with local schools, which Pizarro described as a symbiotic relationship that provides valuable young perspectives on health matters significant to the community.

The meeting’s focal point was an educational presentation on Kratom, a plant-based substance with effects similar to opioids. May Hickey, coordinator for the Plymouth Area Prevention Collaborative, warned the board about the lack of FDA regulation and the rising trend of Kratom use being promoted on social media. Kratom acts on the same brain receptors as opioids... this can cause delusions, depression, confusion and can lead to addiction and withdrawal symptoms, Hickey explained. Board members expressed serious concern regarding the accessibility of these products in convenience stores. Vice Chair Teri Reid emphasized the danger of high doses, noting, I encourage people to read the ingredients on any of the packages... you get that double effect and you don’t even realize that it could be causing you to be the opposite of what you really want to be. Member Deb Zona added that the physiological impact is alarming, stating, That it binds to the opioid receptor cells is a scary thing because they’re going to get addicted.

Regional Epidemiologist Devon Donovan followed with a sobering report on tickborne illnesses, revealing 295 confirmed or probable cases in Plymouth so far this year. The data showed that Lyme disease accounts for 80% of reported illnesses, with adults over 65 representing one-third of all cases. In a population of a 100,000 Plymouth residents, we estimate that approximately 200 children under the age of five will get sick with a tickborne illness, Donovan noted while illustrating the broad age range of infections. Public Health Director Karen Keane discussed local outreach efforts at the Center for Active Living, where she provided residents with practical tools. I shared with them a little tick kit with a magnifying glass and a pair of tweezers and a little instruction book on what to do, Keane said, noting that prevention remains the most effective strategy against long-term complications from Lyme disease.

Finally, the board debated potential updates to tobacco regulations, specifically focusing on the regulation of nicotine pouches. Amy Palmer presented the board's 2024-2025 goals and advocated for capping nicotine strength in retail settings to curb addiction. I’m also thinking like so you’ve got six milligrams and you want 18 and they’re throwing three in there... we’re just trying a small one small movement towards reducing addiction, Palmer suggested. Pizarro concluded the discussion by acknowledging that while the board must prioritize its limited resources, local action is often the catalyst for state-wide change. This is a fast moving issue because of... the opioid receptors... we do things as a local board of health that can impact the greater good, Pizarro said, signaling that the board will continue to monitor the necessity of a formal nicotine cap.