Vaping, E-cigs and School

On 19 November, I attended a School Improvement Council meeting at Milford High School. One topic previously brought up and open for discussion amongst the members of the council was that of the ever-growing use of vaping products and electronic cigarettes in the high school. Most student members of the council explained how on countless occasions, when trying to use the restrooms at the high school, they had to deal with other student members utilizing the facility to vape or use e-cigarettes to smoke either nicotine or cannabis products. These students, who simply want to answer nature's call, are routinely put into unsafe, unhealthy and uncomfortable situations courtesy of their fellow students who have decided to bring their extremely bad habits into the school.

Vaping and the use of electronic cigarettes has been all over the news lately with stories about the adverse health risks, to include death of some people, to the banning of the sale of these products temporarily throughout Massachusetts by Gov. Baker. There are laws in place that attempt to govern the sale/use of these products, of which include zero tolerance on public school grounds. All these drugs (and they are drugs), are not good for anyone, especially our children, and remain unwelcome in our schools. Somehow though, they are still there.

When asked what can be done about this issue, as is the purpose of the improvement board, many great ideas and initiatives were brought to the table ranging from more education about the adverse health effects of these drugs, increased monitoring of the bathrooms and installation of detection technology. A few of these ideas lead to the topic of funding which was elaborated upon by Principal Joshua Otlin. He cited that the budget he is allotted with makes it difficult to justify the spending that would be needed to either install effective detection systems or hire personnel to more efficiently monitor trouble areas of the school where vaping is most prevalent. Principal Otlin surely can gauge the school's problems better than I can as a parent and community member. Perhaps his judgement of the severity of the vaping issue doesn't quite prove to be great enough to fork over the funds needed to do something about it. It is a tough decision to have to make and surely it irritates him as the Principal of our town's High School.

The problem though, is that he shouldn't have to even bat an eye at the prospect of funding a project that would make MHS a safer and healthier place. There should not be a funding issue in regard to this issue. This is a health and safety issue and should not be considered something that needs to be fit "into a budget".

The town of Milford meets routinely to discuss the town's budget; where money will be spent, what improvements shall be funded, who in the town government will be paid what and how the taxes we pay will be utilized. We see roads being improved, intersections finally getting left turn arrows installed and downtown building owners receiving money to "beautify" the look of Milford. What about the school? The immediate opinion I got from listening to Principal Otlin this past meeting was that he doesn't have enough funding to adequately run his school the way he desires to. This includes fixing the school's drug problem.

It is both sad and pathetic.

I suggest that any right-minded citizen of Milford, who cares about the nearly 1,400 students and faculty that go to MHS every day, whom has taken the time to read this, take action. DO SOMETHING. Write a letter to our town government or give them a call. Their information can be found at https://www.milfordma.gov/board-selectmen. Discuss how the school should receive priority funding to combat this increasing health issue. Let them know that our children should not have to worry about their health and safety when at school. Express your dissatisfaction with the limited budget that the High School has to operate with. Demand that something be done. We still live in a society and community where people's voices and strength in numbers can make a difference when trying to get something accomplished that is for a good cause and for the right reasons. Let our voices be heard.