Cleveland schools concerned about student vaping

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- Bradley County and Cleveland City Schools came together with parents and a support group to host a first annual Escape the Vape event. 

“We are bringing together our PTO reps to actually talk about the epidemic that we have with vaping and how it affects our children,” said Dr. Linda Cash Director of School in Bradley County. “We are offering parents to be in partnership with us to make a difference in our community.” 

ATS The Bridge is a nonprofit organization that raises awareness about substance abuse like vaping and the opioid crisis. 

Jared Waldrop with ATS the Bridge says it is important to focus on student drug use in the community. 

 “Parents need to know educators mobile students as well need to know about these products that they’re using. Vaping is not safe,” said Waldrop.

According to the CDC in 20-22, more than 100-thousand people in the United States died from drug overdose.> 

“The message we are trying to get across to parents and to students is that vaping is not safe. Vaping is not healthy for you. You have The risk of addiction and the risk of the chemicals,” Waldrop said. 

 Dr. Linda Cash with Bradley County Schools says substance abuse and vaping is a critical concern. 

However, with Parents help, Dr. Cash hopes the Escape the Vape campaign will end student vaping as well as support their well-being. 

“I think you put it in the forefront so it’s no longer a hidden conversation, but it is a conversation that is within the communities.  It is on the billboard and on social media we are converting the target of our students. We want them coming to us and not to other people about the dangers of drugs and vaping,” Dr. Cash concluded.