Part 2 of 2
This is a continuation of last week’s Monitor story about teens and vaping. The first part of the story can be found on page 12 of the February 13 Monitor.
With vaping becoming a growing problem, especially among teens, area schools have not turned a blind eye to the problem. For instance, the Eagle Grove Area School District has held assemblies to inform and educate students on what they feel is a growing problem. EG’s Robert Blue Middle School Principal Scott Jeske recently told his student body, “We’re having this (assembly) because we’re aware it’s becoming a problem….and the concern is that kids believe this isn’t harmful.” “This is something the school takes very seriously,” Eagle Grove Principal Jeff Siebersma told his high school students during their assembly. “If you have it, there will be consequences.”
Here in Clarion, school officials are trying to be proactive though most have noted vaping has not been a significant problem at C-G-D schools yet. High School nurse and At-Risk Coordinator Erin Halverson said they have had cases of vaping but feels that the layout of the school, with only one floor and the no backpack policy have helped curtail the problem to some extent.
She noted though that they will continue to educate students on the dangers of vaping. She explains that the dangers are covered in various health classes and she has also reached out to Community and Family Resources (CFR) to hopefully schedule a student-friendly presentation about the issue.
C-G-D Middle School Principal Steve Haberman agreed that education is important when it comes to any substance or drug. Yet, he is happy to report that vaping is not something they have seen too much in the sixth through eighth grade classes. He credits the environment they have created in the school for curbing most of this behavior. “Our students know it’s just not acceptable here. I think if we did have a problem, other students would be the first to report it.”
If a C-G-D student is caught vaping, school officials emphasize that parents will be notified, and the student will be subject to suspension and perhaps a tobacco ticket from local law enforcement. Halvorsen stressed, “Sometimes getting hit in the pocketbook is what has the most impact for young people.” Assistant Chief Bret Thompson with the Clarion Police Department confirmed that if you are under 18 and you are caught vaping, there will be a $50 fine. The second offense will cost you $100, and the third $250. If you are providing e-cigarettes to a minor the fines are even steeper – $195 for the first offense, $397.50 for the second, and $735 for the third.
Thompson did add that he hasn’t seen an abundance of calls for service in the Clarion area for underage vaping issues. But he still expressed his concerns about vaping in general. He said, “This is something that is new and unregulated and can be extremely dangerous because of the high nicotine content and what else they get used for (marijuana).” Thompson feels that law enforcement and other adults can help limit the problem though. “We know that no matter what laws are out there, young people are going to eventually experiment with this stuff. So, the best thing we can do is educate and make them aware of the dangers.”
Even with steep fines and talk of new regulations on selling and buying vaping products, the problem is not likely to go away overnight, especially in teens. Addiction Treatment Counselor, Katie Talbot, who works with CFR in Wright County, stressed that someone who is seeking tobacco or other drugs can go to extreme lengths to get them. Like Thompson, she suggested that parents can work to be proactive with their children when it comes to educating and observing such behavior. She recently gave a presentation aimed at parents in Wright County to education them on vaping.
Halverson too hopes that parents work to inform themselves as they are likely the ones who would see such activity in their child. Eagle Grove school officials concur. “I would encourage parents to be active in their child’s life and to not be afraid to ask them about these things. As a parent, I would also look into the dangers of vaping/Juuling to better understand what it is and what it could do to those who are thinking about trying it,” said Eagle Grove High School Principal Jeff Siebersma.
Halverson said also cited a variety of resources that parents can draw on if they have questions about vaping or would like to help someone quit. “We can refer people to Wright County Public Health or to Katie [Talbot] at CFR.” Talbot added that the QuitLine is a good tool that people can seek to cease smoking or vaping.
Even with all these helpful resources, both Talbot and Halverson acknowledge that young people are usually a step ahead of the adults. So while vaping might be the rage right now, it very well could be something else not too far down the road.
