Dear Voorhees Parents/Guardians,
Over the last year, there has been a surge nationwide in the use of vaporizers and e-cigarettes by teenagers. There are many health concerns and risks associated with this new trend. These products can be used to ingest tobacco, marijuana (THC) and other chemicals and will be treated as drug paraphernalia if a student is caught with these devices on school property. This message is to inform you of the school policies related to the use or possession of vaporizers and e-cigarettes in school.
As an educational institution, we do not allow the use or possession of any drugs, including tobacco, on school property or at school events. With this being said, we wanted to make you aware of our school’s procedure on handling these situations based on North Hunterdon-Voorhees Board of Education policies and regulations.
- Smoking, including the use of e-cigarettes, is prohibited at any time in school buildings or on school grounds per Policy 5533 and will be subject to disciplinary action. The school may file a complaint with the municipal court as smoking in school buildings and on school grounds is against state law.
- Per Policy 5530.1 and Regulation 5530, students found to be in possession of any substances (including but not limited to alcoholic beverages, controlled and uncontrolled substances, any chemical or chemical compound which releases vapors or fumes causing a condition of intoxication, inebriation, excitement, stupefaction, or dulling of the brain or nervous system), drugs or drug paraphernalia will receive disciplinary action, including but not limited to suspension from school. The incident may also be reported to law enforcement. Student will also be drug tested through the suspicion based drug testing policy.
Click here for some general information about “vaping”. In addition, we wanted to share with you a recent NBC News video regarding the new synthetic drug called Cloud Nine, which is becoming popular in high schools across the country: Click here for video.
I encourage you to speak with your students about the dangers of vaping and the potential consequences that are associated with it. Please contact Jeff Hunt, Student Assistance Coordinator, if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Ron Peterson
Principal
Voorhees High School
