With a nationwide “vaping epidemic” on the rise, Prince William County has launched a pilot program to implement vape detectors in seven schools, including Patriot High School.
These detectors are set up in all of the restrooms around Patriot, and they alert school administration when triggered by substances such as nicotine or propylene glycol, commonly found in e-cigarettes. Aside from this, high concentrations of aerosols found in deodorants, perfumes, and hair products also trigger these alarms.
When these substances are detected, Patriot administration responds to the affected bathroom. “If there are students in [the bathroom], they may conduct a search,” says Monica Sylor, assistant principal at Patriot High School.
Sylor collects and analyzes data regarding alerts from Verkada, the vape detectors. “We don’t want to see students vaping,” she says. “We know that there are health problems that arise from vaping… We aren’t here to just provide consequences, but we’re hoping that there are proactive measures [such as the vape detectors] to deter students from vaping.”
Along with the substances mentioned, the detectors are also triggered by high levels of humidity, carbon dioxide, and noise.
The Data
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In Prince William County Schools, 864 students received a substance abuse violation in the 2018-2019 school year, with 303 of those violations being vapes specifically. These numbers rose to 1,800 substance abuse violations in the 2022-2023 school year, with 639 vape violations.
In Virginia hospitals, there has been a 108.9% increase in emergency room visits by patients who vape between 2020 and 2023.
Since the detectors have been implemented in Patriot High School, there has been an 18% reduction in vape alerts.
The Future of Vape Detectors at Patriot High School
Implementing vape detectors in school bathrooms is a good start, but they are not the only places students find to vape. With no security cameras or teachers present, students typically feel like the “best” place to vape is the bathrooms. However, stairwells and locker rooms provide a similar level of privacy that might make students feel prompted to vape in those locations instead. If Patriot administration decides to implement vape detectors in these areas, confident security against vapes can be ensured.
In addition to more vape detectors, the Evolv safety screening technology also has the ability to detect vapes. In a safety screening technology frequently asked questions page on Prince William County Schools website, the question “Will the safety screening technology detect vapes and vape paraphernalia” was asked. The response was, “While these systems have the potential to detect certain vapes, and may incidentally detect these prohibited items, PWCS will focus use on weapons detection.” By combining focus on weapons and vapes, a further reduction in vapes at Patriot High School can be possible.
Students – What Can we Do?
While students can express their opinions and feedback to school administrators, they do not have much direct power in overseeing how the vape detectors work or are implemented. However, they can submit an anonymous tip on Prince William County’s tip line if they are concerned about students vaping, or even if they seek help themselves. Support groups and school counselors are available as well.
