Be Aware:
Today is collecting and properly disposing of confiscated vapes and dabs. The total weight was "6.4 pounds", and that does not include the alcohol that was also collected.
I’m sharing a few pictures to give parents, guardians, and community members a closer look at what our children are inhaling, using, and sharing with one another. Do we truly understand how dangerous these products can be? The harmful chemicals, unknown substances, and potential health consequences should concern every one of us.
This is not about judging our youth. It is about educating, protecting, and preventing further harm. Our children need guidance, honest conversations, and adults who are willing to pay attention.
Parents and guardians, please have these conversations with your children.Know what they are carrying, what they are using, and what they may be exposed to. Prevention starts at home, continues in our schools, and requires the support of our entire community.Our children's health and future are worth protecting.
A Few Things Parents and Guardians Can Do to Help Prevent Vaping and Substance Use Among Our Youth:
- Do Not Purchase These Products for Your Children. Regardless of how harmless they may seem, vapes, dabs, and alcohol pose serious health risks to developing minds and bodies. Providing these products only increases access and normalizes their use.
2.Monitor What Your Children Are Purchasing and Carrying. Be aware of what your children are buying, bringing into your home, and taking to school. Many vaping devices are designed to look like everyday items, making them difficult to recognize.
3.Educate Yourself About the Dangers. Vapes are NOT simply harmless water vapor. They can contain nicotine, harmful chemicals, heavy metals, and other unknown substances. Take the time to understand what your children may be inhaling and the long-term consequences of using these products.
4.Understand the Consequences of Continued Use. Be familiar with school policies, disciplinary consequences, and the potential health effects of vaping, dabbing, and alcohol use. Hold your children accountable while also providing the support and resources they need to make healthier choices.
5.Have Honest and Ongoing Conversations. Don't wait until your child is caught with a vape or experiences a health emergency. Talk openly about peer pressure, addiction, substance use, and making healthy decisions. Listen without immediately judging.
6.Recognize the Warning Signs. Pay attention to changes in behavior, unusual odors, unfamiliar devices, secrecy, and changes in friendships or spending habits. Early intervention can prevent more serious problems.
Be Part of the Solution, Not the Problem. Parents, guardians, schools, Tribal programs, and community members must work together. Prevention cannot fall on the schools alone. It takes an entire community to protect our youth
