SULLIVAN COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – Friday morning Carlisle Elementary and Junior High School’s Principal Glenda Jones invited law enforcement in to speak to her students about the dangers of vaping.
As a member of the Indiana State Police Clandestine Drug Lab team, Master Trooper Jim Dotson has seen the impact nicotine and other drugs have on the human body.
“Some of these products in e-cigarettes, in the liquids contain nickel, lead and other unknown chemicals,” he explained. “I also pointed out that some of these chemicals when they’re converted to steam they’re converted to formaldehyde.”
Jones went on to explain she has already caught a few students with e-cigarettes, “I even had a student in elementary within the last few years who had an e-cigarette.”
She is worried her students will develop a habit, “We have to get it at the early age to try to stop it before it gets any bigger for them.”
Dotson explained the risks associated with using FDA approved e-cigarettes as well as the risks associated with homemade cartridges that could contain THC or any drug.
“We have seen methamphetamine, we’ve seen fentanyl in pods and e-cigarettes,” he said. “It’s just another form of ingesting.”
Principal Jones hopes these open conversations between students and law enforcement will discourage them from vaping.
“I don’t want to see any one of my students get into the trap of nicotine and the dangers associated with it,” she said.
Recent vape statistics
The CDC has confirmed the number of vaping related illnesses has reached about 13,000.
Three vaping related deaths have been confirmed in Indiana since September 6.
At least 26 people have died nationwide.
