2/15/23
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Leland and Gray administrators, staff and students are working with the community’s local substance misuse prevention coalition, West River Valley Thrives, to bring the widespread student use of electronic nicotine and cannabis vape products to your attention.
Here at Leland and Gray, students and adults alike are reporting that an alarming number of youth, across social groups, are using these products. The school community is also concerned by the numbers of students bringing and using vape devices on school property. In response to this challenge, school administration and the school Student Assistance Professional (SAP) are working closely with students who are found using such devices. The Leland and Gray student Vape Task Force has attended trainings, and worked with school staff and admin on this issue. Additionally, a series of Leland and Gray town hall events are being held to include student voices in the necessary changing of culture that must happen around vape products.
It takes all of us working together to have these hard conversations with our youth. We should have these talks often to reinforce our strong, non-judgmental message that we expect our youth to engage in healthy choices.
This is not only an L&G problem. Data shows that vaping among high-school aged children nationally, as well as across Vermont, has skyrocketed in recent years. Among VT high school youth, the rate of current electronic vape device use increased more than 73% between 2015 and 2019*. A representative from the Surgeon General’s Office recently stated that they have “never seen use of any substance by America’s youth rise this rapidly.” (*Center for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration)
Here is some helpful information and resources to help us support youth in our community to make healthy choices.
Nicotine and Cannabis Use Disorders (addiction) are a lifelong battle, with expensive and grave consequences. 90% of the people who develop a Substance Use Disorder started using substances before they were 18. Delaying use while the brain is still developing (until age 26!) is important and one of the best ways to support youth from developing a problem.
- Vape products can contain a variety of substances, such as nicotine or cannabis. For middle and high school youth, the most common is nicotine.
- These products are not safe, especially for youth. The aerosol that users inhale from an Electronic Nicotine device contains heavy metals, and cancer causing chemicals.
- We know that youth love flavored products. Youth love technology. Youth often use social media. Electronic nicotine and cannabis devices are a dangerous combination of flavoring, technology and social media that are attractive to youth. Advertisers are using social media to market to them.“Influencers” and others youth follow, are giving tips about how to get and use these products, as well as ways to hide them.
Here are a few ways you can help:
Educate yourself -. Please take a few minutes and learn more to have informed conversations with your children. Visit Thrives’ Resources for links to some excellent information.
Get them help – If your child is vaping or using other substances, there are trained staff in the district who are here for you and are ready to help. Contact:
Luis Vargas, L&G Student Assistance Professional– lvargas@windhamcentral.org
Kayla Jager, Thrives Tobacco Treatment Specialist- wrvtworks@gmail.com
HCRS- (802) 254-6028
My Life, My Quit is a wonderful free resource for Vermont teens ages 12-17 who want help quitting any form of nicotine product. Youth can TEXT/CALL 855.891.9989 or CHAT ONLINE at mylifemyquit.com with a trained Coach.
Thrives works to support the West River Valley community in limiting advertising of and youth access to substances. If you, or your children, are interested in learning more or getting involved, please reach out at wrvtdirector@gmail.com, or learn more at the Thrives webpage.
In Partnership,
Signed by Meg, Dana, and whomever else.
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A few good resources
- A VT Dept. of Health Data Brief on Electronic Vapor Product Use among High School
Students in Vermont - Partnership for Drug Free Kids – How to Talk with Kids about Vaping
drugfree.org/article/how-to-talk-with-your-kids-about-vaping - Parents, let’s talk about vaping: An interview with Dr. Faricy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A31IUQCr4A - US Surgeon General – Know the Facts website e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov
- Unhyped – VT campaign to raise awareness of the harms of e-cigarettes and vaping and flavored tobacco products that attract youth https://unhypedvt.com/