Local government, law enforcement, school system and health agencies held a press conference discussing the harms of vaping and its prevalence among middle and high school students in the Christian County Public School system and they plan to prevent it.
On Monday, the partners signed an agreement focusing on zero-tolerance policies for the possession of vapes in schools with preventative and disciplinary measures.
For students who are found to be in possession of a vaping product on school grounds they will be given a citation from law enforcement for drug paraphernalia, if the vape is found to have a controlled substance, then an additional charge of drug distribution, possession or use will be applied. Christian County District Court Judge Lindsey Adams says the risks posed by vaping make it a difficult problem to tackle.
Students cited for vape possession will also be enrolled in Bluegrass Learning Academy for 18 to 36 weeks where they will receive nicotine or controlled substance related counseling services from Pennyrile Mental Health Services.
Hopkinsville Mayor J.R. Knight expressed his pride in the partnership establishing a zero-tolerance policy. Knight shares his experience of seeing vaping habits of children being enabled by adults.
Beyond disciplinary measures the partnership focuses on the businesses and the illegal avenues minors are obtaining vape products through. Hopkinsville Police Chief Jason Newby says law enforcement will investigate stores that are selling to minors.
The zero-tolerance policy will take affect at the beginning of the 2023-24 school ye