In the prior academic school year, in hopes to ensure students safety and combat the epidemic of youth vaping, FCPS superintendent Michelle Reid shared upcoming plans for a new pilot program for vape detection devices. 

Despite these devices being set to be implemented in the 2023-2024 school year in both high schools and middle schools county-wide, much is still unknown about the pilot program.

“They piloted the sensors, at least one school. I don’t know how many schools, but Annandale didn’t participate in that pilot, and we don’t currently have sensors in the bathrooms,” Principle Shawn DeRose said.

The issue of vaping among youth has been seen majorly across FCPS and at AHS. Many concerns have been raised across the AHS community on the threats e-cigarettes, tobacco products and marijuana cartridges impose on the school environment. 

“I think first and foremost, I think we try to do our very best through advisory and health classes and about teaching students about the dangers of vaping. I think that’s first, is education,” Principal Shawn Derose said. “The second thing that we really focus on is trying to teach the kids about vaping use, tobacco use, alcohol use, and other drugs as AOD is what it’s called. And then at the same time, we’re trying to be really proactive, to discourage kids from doing it at school.”

 High schools and middle schools across FCPS have struggled with vaping among students for years and strives to educate and inform students, faculty and parents on the dangers vaping imposes on it’s users

“I know that every school is dealing with this. And it’s been challenging, you know, removing a preventing students from vaping or bringing vapes to school. And educating them about just the dangers of it. It’s a, I think it’s a national issue that we have to face.”