Carroll County Schools is hosting what it hopes will be a life-changing event next month as it welcomes one of the most sought-after speakers in the fight against youth vaping.
This addictive trend has attacked communities across the nation, and Carroll County is no exception. Despite previous enforcement efforts, vaping continues to occur on school grounds, posing a serious threat to the health and well-being of students.
Michael DeLeon, a nationally renowned speaker whose mission is to combat the vaping epidemic head-on, will give his Vaping Me Crazy presentation on April 18. His educational materials will also be utilized in the schools to continue to support the message that vaping is dangerous for all people, but especially young people.
He will speak to the youngest of our Panthers about “stranger danger” rather than vaping. The vaping presentation will be given to the middle and high schools.
DeLeon will speak at Kathryn Winn from 8:15-8:45 a.m., high school from 9-10:30 a.m., Cartmell from 10:45-11:15 a.m. and middle school from 1:15-2:30 p.m. Vaping Me Crazy isn’t just for students. Recognizing the crucial role of parents in this battle, DeLeon will also host a Parent Academy at 6 p.m. on April 18, providing invaluable insights and resources to help families navigate this pressing issue.
This is free and the public is encouraged to attend.
Vapes come in many different shapes and sizes and their content is also varied. Some of it is nicotine only, while others are laced with drugs like marijuana and fentanyl. Many young people are lured into using vapes because they boast flavors and claims they are not addictive.
DeLeon said there are more than 7,000 flavors of vapes. “There’s not 7,000 favors for anything on this planet. The tobacco industry marketed this to kids,” he said, noting there is a much higher concentration of nicotine and carcinogens in vapes.
“I can tell you, I go to every state, and Kentucky is the worst by far for selling marijuana products in gas stations and vape shops all over the state,” DeLeon said. “We’re in the middle of a catastrophe.”
A group of school counselors heard the Vaping Me Crazy presentation during the summer. They lobbied for the district to bring DeLeon to speak to our students.
“The best way to curb vaping use is to put in a highly functioning prevention program,” said Mark Willhoite, chief operations officer and director of pupil personnel. “Until we fully educate our students and parents on what these products are really doing, we’re not doing the best that we can.”
