North Star

VAPING IN AMERICA;
HOW TO STOP THE EPIDEMIC
Teens vaping has become the new norm over the last decade. All of America is coming to an agreement- to end
illness and death due to vaping among teens (Content by Ivy Lowery)
The Federal Government is
Keeping an Eye on Vaping.
The National Government has become
aware of the new teen crisis. President
Donald Trump delivered a speech at the
White House earlier this fall, declaring that he
is moving to ban flavored vaping products in
an effort to stop the teen vaping epidemic in
America
The FDA and CDC have recently been
looking into vaping, to see what has been
causing deaths among vape users. The FDA
regulates legal vapes by lab testing them
and giving them legal approval to sell. The
issue with vapes that aren’t tested by the
FDA is that they are what has been causing
recent deaths and illness. While Federal and
Health officials look into these illegal vaping
products, the FDA has been keeping the
public informed on these legal and illegal
vapes, and how to stay safe.
Updated Policy For FHN.
The Francis Howell School District introduced a new
policy for students struggling with drug abuse of all kinds
earlier this year. The old policy stated that students must
be suspended for 10 days with a Code of Conduct hearing,
which then would be decided their punishment. FHSD
has updated this policy, students who are caught with
any substance or paraphernalia for any reason will be
suspended for three days and go to 9 mandatory days in the
Alternative Intervention Program (AIP). AIP offers counseling
and support for victims of addiction instead of punishing
them for their actions.
Missouri is Taking Action.
After noticing the new trend America is in action to prevent, Misssouri
took the nation’s lead. Gov. Mike Parson of Missouri signed an executive
order on Oct 15, 2019 stating that research and education discouraging
from the use of vaping products must be done. The campaign is set to
use current assets to launch within 30 days.
Over 20 health cases in Missouri alone are due to illness or
death of vaping-related products. The order states that Elementary and
Secondary Education, Public Safety and The Departments of Health and
Senior Services must develop a statewide campaign to educate and
inform youth about the dangers of vaping.
HOW TO STOP AN ADDICTION
Vaping has become a very relevant thing in teens, and at FHN. If you or a friend has a vaping
addiction, this is how to make quitting easier (Content by Ivy Lowery)
Find a Reason to Stop
Whether it’s wanting to positively influence
your siblings or wanting to avoid health
issues, quitting is the right thing for you.
Considering how vaping affects your life,
school work, and emotions is key to start
quitting. Ask a friend if they have seen any
changes in your life since you started. Some
people who vape also use other drugs. If you
or a friend smoke other things, now would be
a good time to try to quit those habits too.
Prepare Yourself to Quit
Setting a plan and a date of when to quit.
Set yourself up to be ready for the stress
and health issues that come with quitting.
Depending on the severity of the addiction,
you may experience withdrawals. Certain
situations may cause the victim of addiction
to crave nicotine to the point of physical
illness. Preparing strategies to help fight the
addiction and resist temptations to take
another puff are essential to quitting.
Create a Safe Place
Gaining new friends who support your
choices and who will help you to resist the
urge is the most important thing. Leaving
those habits behind also means leaving bad
influences behind. Creating a vision in your
mind of what you hope to achieve and who
you want to be surrounded by will help you
become who you want to be, while also
staying drug-free.
PAGE BY GRACIE BOWMAN
IN-DEPTH | 11.20.19 | FHNTODAY. COM
29