New detectors are sniffing out teen vape-users in these northern Alberta schools
CBC
It's no secret that nicotine-addicted teens cut out of class to vape, often in school washrooms.
But new technology has emerged to help school administrators catch them in the act: vape detectors.
The Holy Family Catholic Regional Division in Peace River, Alta., is adopting vape detectors this fall for its eight school buildings.
Superintendent Betty Turpin said the idea came from students during a meeting with the board of trustees.
"It was unanimous that the students were reporting that vaping was going on in the washrooms and it was making them uncomfortable to go into the washrooms," Turpin said in an interview.
"When students say that, you can't just ignore it. You have to do something because all students should feel comfortable in the school."
The vape detectors cost $1,700 each. The division has spent a total of $80,000 to install 35 devices across eight schools. Turpin said they hope to mitigate the costs with grant money.
The devices detect particulates and loud noises, and send a message to the phones of administrators who can then investigate.
Les Hagen, executive director of Action on Smoking and Health, acknowledged that schools need to try alternative measures to help students break away from smoking and vaping.
"I really feel for schools because schools have become the ground zero for the vaping epidemic," said Hagen.
"We're allowing tobacco companies and vaping companies to push these products to kids."
While some schools in the United States have struggled with students destroying detectors or administrators not being able to intervene on time, Turpin said that isn't a major concern.
The devices are installed in cages on ceilings. Turpin said at least one administrator will always be free to check alerts — and hallway security cameras may also be used.
She hopes the detectors will help improve the student experience and curb vaping at school.
The Rachel Notley government's consumer carbon tax wound up becoming a weapon the UCP wielded to drum the Alberta NDP out of office. But that levy-and-repayment program, and the wide-ranging "climate leadership plan" around it, also stood as the NDP's boldest, provincial-reputation-altering move in their single-term tenure.