News
THE eagle’s Eye
Page 4 | Oct. 10, 2023
New law stiffens penalties for vapes
With a new law comes new consequences for Akins students NADIM LAMA StAFF WRITER The consequences for being caught with a vape pen or e-cigarette on a school campus rose dramatically on Sept. 1, when a new state law was enacted. House Bill 114 was passed by state lawmakers in May, requiring students to be removed to an alternative disciplinary campus if they are caught on, or within 300 feet of, a school campus with an e-cigarette. Before the law was passed, school administrators struggled with what to do with students who possessed vape pens on campus due to testing requirements. Previously, the devices had to be tested for THC content in order to decide consequences for the student. The new law removes the guesswork for administrators, who are now required to send any and all students to an alternative disciplinary campus- known within Austin ISD as the Alternative Learning Center (ALC).. The law also covers any school-sponsored or school-related activity on or off school property. Students caught selling or under the influence also fall under the new law. Dr. Susan Thames, assistant principal for the New Tech Academy, said she has already had to send 14 students to the ALC because of the new law. “Sadly, New Tech (Academy) had the first one on the Photo by Ecigclick.co.uk used with a Creative Commons BY-SA license first day of school,” she said. “Even after all the slideshows and the warning being sent to ALC, many students still are campus removals vaping. I have two students that got caught with vape pens At least 20 students have been sent to the Austin ISD Alternative Learning Center because of a new today.” state law that requires students to be removed from campus if caught with an e-cigarette. All of the Akins academy principals have had to send “fitting punishment.” students to ALC this year, and warned students about the “You don’t need to bring that to school,” they wrote. new law during academy assemblies at the beginning of the Other students said that while they agreed with the law, school year. they doubted that it would significantly reduce the amount Thames said ALC offers the Invest Program for first-time of vaping by students. According to the results of The offenders, which provides classes INVEST PROGRAm Eagle’s Eye survey, about and counseling related to mis37 percent of respondents demeanor-level drug or alcohol ◊ The INVEST program must be ofsaid they believed it would offenses. Students who successfered each time a secondary student cut down on vaping while fully complete the program can is assigned to DAEP for misdemeananother 37 percent said it return to their home campuses or level drug or alcohol offenses. The thing that really would not. Others said they after 10 days, which is half the After successfully completing worries me, is kids were unsure. time of a typical 20-day ALC INVEST the student may return to Dr. Thames said she is don’t know what placement. the home campus following the last concerned about the health Some Akins students who INVEST class, with a minimum of ten they’re getting in effects that vaping is having responded to an online survey successful days. Parent involvement the vape pen on teenagers. She said she by The Eagle’s Eye said they is optional. resents how the manufac-Assistant principal supported the new, stiffer penal◊ Normal time spent in the alternative turers of vape pens seem to Dr. Susan Thames ties for possessing vape pens on learning center is twenty days be catering to young people campus. with their packaging and Austin ISD “It lets kids gain some support marketing of the products. outside of their friend group “I think it’s really sad to and family, and those resources me, and it’s affecting our stu(if they care enough) can change dents, ” she said. “At the time, their outcome in their choices and hopefully stop them students think ‘Oh, well, this is something that I want to from hurting themselves further,” wrote a student on the try’ or ‘It can’t affect me.’ But, you know, research is showing survey. that there are some long-term effects.” Another student said that being removed to ALC was a Yanitzel Salazar contributed to this story.
“
“
