From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
DECATUR CITY — The Decatur City School District has taken the uncompromising step to prevent vaping in its schools by sending offending students to alternative school.
Beginning this January, the Decatur City School District assigned students found in possession of a vaping device to the Center for Alternatives to Suspension.
“Vaping is causing serious health issues around our nation,” the school district said in a letter released to parents. “We do not wish to see any of our students negatively impacted by either direct exposure or second-hand exposure to these products.”
Parents were notified in 2019 that students found vaping, or in possession of a vaping device, would face in-school suspension; however, the district found that the punishments failed to impart upon the seriousness of the dangers of vaping. The district then recommended a harsher punishment after discussions with students, parents and administrators.
“We do not wish to see any of our students negatively impacted by either direct exposure or second hand exposure to these products,” the letter said.
This follows the nation’s growing understanding of the vaping epidemic. Throughout the country, there have been 57 vaping-related deaths in 27 states.