- Shawsheen Valley Technical High School
- Vaping Concerns at Shawsheen Tech
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Shawsheen Valley Technical High School
Vaping Concerns at Shawsheen Tech
Thursday, November 10, 2022
Dear Shawsheen Families, Students, and Colleagues,
I am writing to you today to share concerns we have about student vaping at Shawsheen as well as the plans we have in place to help curb this issue, because it will take the efforts of everyone in our community to tackle this growing problem.
As I am sure you are aware, vaping is not an issue isolated to Shawsheen. Across the country, schools are struggling with how to address this concerning trend. American youth (and adults) have grown increasingly addicted to vaping over the past few years. In addition to the concerning health effects this has on the students who vape, the prevalence of vaping is impacting students who choose not to vape, as they report encountering it in the bathrooms, on the buses, and throughout the school day. This includes both nicotine and THC vaping devices, both of which are illegal on school property, but much easier to use and conceal than cigarettes and marijuana. We are taking a multi-pronged approach to respond to this problem, as outlined below.
Naming the Problem & Sharing Vital Information
Vaping devices are highly addictive, easy for students to acquire, and easy to conceal. Flavored vapes are popular amongst teenagers, and although they are banned in Massachusetts, they are available for purchase over the border in New Hampshire. In addition to being highly addictive, the concentration in vapes (of nicotine or THC depending on the type) is significant and has resulted in students getting ill, being transported to the hospital, and in extreme cases, psychosis. To increase the impact of what students are vaping, we have caught some students “hot-wiring” vaping cartridges - this involves connecting a vaping cartridge to cut wires on a charger while the charger is plugged into an electrical outlet. This only increases the risks associated with vaping, and compromises the safety of the school building.
Vaping is difficult to catch and prevent. Since there is no combustion of smoke, vaping devices are very easy to conceal, even when they are being used. As we enter the budget season, we are also looking at various options for vaping detectors that can be installed in bathrooms and other key areas of the building to notify us when students are vaping. We know vaping is a problem at Shawsheen and we remain vigilant about monitoring bathrooms and other spaces where vaping is suspected to take place – but this alone will not curb the problem.
Resources & Supports for Students
As outlined in the student handbook, any Shawsheen student can report to us if they are struggling with vaping (or any other substance) and receive resources without any consequences. We encourage any student struggling with substances to reach out to one of our counselors, the Dean’s office, or any other trusted adult at Shawsheen. In addition to this: we have a diversion program we run after school a few times a year (for students caught with substances or who are struggling with substances); we are planning to expand our diversion program; we can recommend students to resources in the community; and we will be implementing SBIRT later this year to help with early intervention (more information will be shared with families on SBIRT in the coming months). Additionally, vaping is a topic covered in our health curriculum and counselors are available to work with students on a one-on-one basis, as needed.
Family Education & Engagement
During the September Meet & Greet, the Billerica Substance Abuse Prevention Committee provided “Hope’s Room” for families to visit. This was a mock child's bedroom designed to show possible signs of substance use that may go unnoticed in daily life. We received excellent feedback from families who visited “Hope’s Room,” and we are working with community partners to host a Substance Use Awareness Night for families later in the school year to provide additional resources for families. We will share more information about this evening once details are finalized.
Harsher Disciplinary Consequences for Students
Products containing nicotine, tobacco, and THC are illegal to have in your possession while on school property. Per M.G.L. c.71 §37H, a student is subject to long-term suspension or expulsion from public schools in Massachusetts if they are found to be in possession of a controlled substance while on school grounds or at a school-sponsored event. Although marijuana/THC has been decriminalized in Massachusetts, marijuana/THC is still considered to be a controlled substance and therefore the possession of marijuana/THC at Shawsheen is an offense for which a student can be suspended on a long-term basis or expelled from school. When we catch students with vaping devices, we have test kits that can determine if they contain nicotine or THC.
The presence of any controlled substance on our campus is an incredibly concerning one. We are a vocational high school where students use tools, equipment, and machinery that can hurt or kill someone if not used properly. Therefore, the possession of controlled substances that impair judgment is a significant safety concern for the students in possession, as well as their peers and teachers. Above all else, we must maintain the safety of everyone in this building. Given the overwhelming number of incidents we have experienced with students bringing controlled substances (mainly THC vaping devices) into school so far this year, harsher sanctions will be imposed moving forward. In addition to being subject to a long-term suspension or expulsion for this offense, additional consequences may also result, such as losing the privilege to participate in extra-curricular activities and events. These include, but are not limited to, athletics, clubs, activities, and school events (i.e. proms, banquets, etc.).
Although nicotine/tobacco products (including vapes) are not considered controlled substances, possession of these products on school property still violates state law and school rules, and will result in consequences including, but not limited to: after-school detentions, Saturday detentions, suspensions, and losing the privilege to participate in extra-curricular activities and events.
Ultimately, our goal is to curb behavior through education and other supports for students, but this cannot be our only approach if we want to ensure a safe learning environment for all Shawsheen students. Please help us to address this pressing issue by exploring some of the resources included below, having conversations about vaping, and reaching out to us with questions or concerns. You can access contact information for members of our Guidance Department at the following link: Shawsheen Guidance Department.
- More Resources about Youth Vaping | Mass.gov
- QuitAssist® : Welcome Page
- Quit Vaping | Smokefree Teen
- This is Quitting
- TRUTH | Breath of Stress Air
- Vaping | What parents need to know | Partnership to End Addiction
Sincerely,
Jessica Cook
(she/her/hers)
Principal