The SOCSD Family Engagement Center and SOMS PTA will co-host a parent workshop on vaping on Monday, May 9, 7-8PM, in the SOMS Library featuring presenters from CANDLE (Community Awareness Network for a Drug-Free Life and Environment).
In 2017, the District launched a series of community forums–SOCSD Families Talk About Substance Use–to raise awareness of the substance use crisis among youth and engage parents as prevention partners.
“Parent education is one key component of our Family Education Center. Sharing resources and information about vaping with our families is an essential part of our District’s prevention efforts,” said Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services Karen Tesik, Ed.D., who was interviewed for a 2018 Associated Press article on vaping in schools following a community forum on the topic.
Since then, the District has hired prevention counselors Bobbie-Angela Wong (SOMS) and Annie Scott (TZHS) to strengthen substance use prevention, intervention and counseling efforts. Vape detectors installed at both schools earlier this year have enabled administrators and counselors to more effectively identify and address students using at school. The May 9 workshop aims to further strengthen collaboration with families so that they have the knowledge and resources to take action at home.
According to the 2021 National Youth Tobacco Survey, 1 out of every 35 middle school students and 1 out every 9 high school students reported that they had used electronic cigarettes–also called “vapes,” “vape pens,” “mods” and “e-hookahs”–in the past 30 days. Nearly 85% use flavored e-cigarettes. Among youth who were current e-cigarette users, about 1 in 4 reported daily use. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can harm adolescent brain development.