North Canterbury News: September 07, 2023

Vaping epidemic prompts action
By DAVID HILL,
Local Democracy Reporter
NEWS
The North Canterbury News, September 7, 2023
3
TAXRETURNS
New Client Discount 10%
Cameras andsensorsare being
installed in toilet corridors at
Rangiora HighSchoolinabid to crack
downonvaping.
The growingvaping epidemic has left
North Canterbury schoolsgrappling
withwaystomanage it.
Rangiora HighSchoolprincipal
Bruce Kearney says vapinghad led to
anti­social gatherings around
bathroomsand the schoolwas
determined to stamp it out.
‘‘Students often vapeinour toilets in
large groups and it can be intimidating
for our students to actually use the
toilets fortheirintended purpose.’’
Cameras have beeninstalled in the
mainRakahuri building in bathroom
corridors,and more camerasand
sensors will be gradually installed
acrossthe school.
He saysthe camerasand sensors
wereexpensiveand took money away
fromeducation,but vapinghad got out
of handand schoolswereleft to
manageitasbest they could.
Signs are being installed to indicate
to students wherethere are cameras
and vapingsensors.
‘‘Weshouldneverhavegot intoa
situationwhere youngpeople are
addicted to aproductwhich is
supposed to help people stop
smoking.’’
The school’sboardoftrustees
chairperson,Simon Green, says he has
receivedpositive comments from
students sincethe announcement.
‘‘We’ve hadnoconcerns raised
aroundprivacy so far,and they are only
being placed in thecorridor andnot in
the cubicles themselves, so there is no
privacyissue.
‘‘The sensors are pretty good at
pickingupwhenpeople are usingthe
toiletfor apurpose otherthan what is
intended.’’
Mr Kearney says theschool is
exploring addiction programmes with
the schoolnurseinabid to support
TREETROUBLE?
Call foraFREE Quote
03 384 9630
Vaping ... North Canterbury principals are concerned about the vaping epidemic.
students addictedtovaping.
He is alsocalling on parents to get in
behind theschool in allowingstaff to
‘‘destroy’’vapingproductswhichare
seized.
Kaiapoi High School principal Jason
Reid says his schoolhas investigated
cameras andsensors,but found them
‘‘toocostly’’.
‘‘We have enough ways of monitoring
when vaping is likely to happen,and
we can havethosediscussions.’’
Buthesays vapingisagrowing
problem in schools andhehas real
concernsaboutthe ongoing health
risks.
Whilevaping, likesmoking, is
banned in schools, it is proving to be
PHOTO: FILE
addictive,which ledtoanxiety,
increasedimpulses and irritation as
students cravedtheirnext hit, he says.
‘‘Wedon’t knowenough aboutthe
longtermeffects of thechemicals, but
we do knowthat it is ahighlyaddictive
substance.
‘‘Wenow havestudents who are
looking for support to give it up.
‘‘Theyare identifyingthat it is
controlling their lives,and it impacts
on howtheyfunction in the
classroom.’’
Mr Reid sayshewouldlike to see
vapingbecome aprescription only
medicinefor givingupsmoking.
Public interestjournalism funded
throughNew ZealandonAir.
Environmental awards for Waimakariri
By DAVID HILL,
Local Democracy Reporter
Waimakaririenvironmental awards are
being introducedfor the first time.
The WaimakaririZone Committee’s
biodiversity workinggroup has
developed the awards,which will be
presented alongside the Waimakariri
DistrictCouncil’scommunity service
awardsinOctober.
Zone committee chairpersonCarolyne
Lathamsays the awards wereopen to
anyonewho was working towards
enhancing the local,Waimakariri
environment.
‘‘We wanttoacknowledge the groups
and individualsthat are goingthe extra
mile to protect and enhance our local
environment.
‘‘We're on the lookout for individuals
or groups who undertake, champion, or
inspire environmental protection,
conservation,orrestoration, within the
zone.’’
The awards havebeen fundedbya
grant from the zone committee’s 2022/23
action planfund.
Nominations for the inaugural
Waimakariri ZoneCommittee
environmental awards close on Monday,
September18.
Awardswill be presented across three
categories: youth (under­18,which can
be an individualorgroup), individual
and group or organisation(business,
community organisation or nongovernmental
organisation).
For more information,gotothe
WaimakaririDistrict Council website.
Finalists willbenotified on October 9,
with the awardsbeing presented on
October 18.
Publicinterestjournalism funded
through New Zealand on Air.
Karla Kilner
Tax&Accounting Consultants
since 1984
Overwhelmed? Confused? With the recent IRD
changes to tax returns, GST returns, rental returns
and pay day filing APlus Accounting is here to help.
Give us acall. Friendly,knowledgable staff.
APlus Accounting
☎ 03 314 9480
2570633
Caring for North Canterbury
Dr John Dehn
Full Mole Checks
using Dermoscopy
Surgical Management
and Aftercare
Comprehensive, Affordable, Convenient
Ph 03 9204060
52 Pegasus Main Street,Pegasus 7612
www.pegasusmedicalcentre.co.nz
Southern Cross
Affiliated Provider
For selected services
Gorgeous
Summer Sandals
1890742
Doti
Taupe &White,
Emerald &Navy
L37-42
$69
Cai
Taupe, White
L37-41
$89
www.thetreepeople.nz
•Experts in Jewellery Design
•Beautifully Handcrafted
Jewellery
•Crawford Hill Equestrian
Jewellery
•Jewellery Repairs
•Remaking and Remodelling
Jewellery
•Insurance Replacement
Service
•Valuations
140 High Street, Rangiora | Ph: 03 310 6191 | Em: info@crawfordhill.co.nz
2606615
Lots of New Styles
Kaiapoi Mill, Ranfurly Street, Kaiapoi
Monday –Friday 9am –5pm
Saturday 10am –1pm
Closed Public Holidays &Long Weekends
Ph 03 327 0576
2603987