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JagWire
TANNER SMITH assistant editor
HANNAH CHERN editor-in-chief
T
he district recently purchased two vape detectors as a trial run to evaluate the effectiveness of the devices. In addition to the existing measures that the district has in place to combat vaping on school property, the district funded just under $2,000 for the installation of the vape detectors to be placed into one bathroom at each high school. While these devices are a step to combating the use of vapes at school, according to assistant superintendent Alvie Cater, there are “no plans to purchase any additional detectors at this time.” According to Cater, the discussion of purchasing vape detectors was first brought up as a way to counter the increase in student vaping. “The idea of trying two vape detectors was simply a deterrent to see if it might cause a student to think twice about [vaping],” Cater said. “We know that this is not the solution to prevent and stop vaping, so that’s why we took this approach; we want it to test it and see how it goes.” Despite administration’s intentions for the vape detectors, an anonymous junior male—who wishes to remain
anonymous because he admits to vaping on school property—believes that the vape detectors will not prevent students from continuing to vape, even if it reduces students’ access at school. “I feel like you would help them not have vapes at school as much, but I don’t think you’ll help like the kids stop vaping,” the male said.
“THE IDEA OF TRYING ... VAPE DETECTORS WAS SIMPLY A DETERRENT TO SEE IF IT MIGHT CAUSE A STUDENT TO THINK TWICE ABOUT VAPING.” assistant superintendent alvie cater
These sensors, known as FlySense sensors, work by detecting the chemicals produced by vaping and alerting the administration when said chemicals are detected. According to Cater, these sensors, which are placed in the bathrooms, do not use microphones or
fast facts
How many detectors did the district purchase? The district has installed one in each high school. How does it work? When a sensor detects sound level irregularities or chemicals from vaping, it sends a notification to school officials How much does each sensor cost? $2,000 each Does the sensor have cameras or microphones? No, it does not in order to protect student privacy source: Soter Technologies
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cameras to protect students’ privacy. “Vape detectors are relatively unobtrusive, and they can be moved. They don’t record video or audio, and they just register a chemical signature,” Cater said. “So when that is triggered, the system can send an email and or a text alert to school officials.” Due vaping’s negative effects, science teacher Landra Fair feels less students are picking up the activity. “I feel that vaping at the school has reached a peak,” Fair said. “Since the deaths, I think there’s a lot of kids that aren’t doing it. I don’t think it’s quite as cool or as common as it used to be.” Even if a student is caught vaping through the sensors, the consequences have not changed, according to Cater. “The consequences are going to be the same. It doesn’t matter if a classmate reports it, if a teacher walks into the restroom and sees somebody doing it or if a student does it in the classroom versus a vape detector,” Cater said. While there are consequences that result from vaping on school campuses, Cater believes that they won’t resolve the issue. “I think it’s important to clarify that consequences alone are not going to make a difference,” Cater said. “So what we’re working on is increasing our efforts to help educate students about the potential dangers of e-cigarette use and vape devices.”
