Texas passed House Bill 114 May 26. It states: “A student must be removed from class and placed into a disciplinary alternative education program, or expelled for the possession, use or delivery of drugs on or near public school campus.” School district faculty and families have been notified of the new law, which went into effect Sept. 1.
Stimulants are a category of drug that increase activity in the central nervous system, speeding up messages from the brain to the body. Nicotine is a type of stimulant. Along with nicotine and THC, Tetrahydrocannabinol, — both highly addictive drugs — vapes can contain compounds like formaldehyde, cadmium and heavy metals. The severity of the harm caused by this product that’s being marketed to young people has driven the state legislature to take action.
Bill 114 applies not only to school campuses, but to any area within 300 feet of school property and any school sponsored event or activity. The disciplinary actions outlined in the bill apply to students caught using, possessing, selling or intoxicated by vapes or e-cigarettes.
Prosper ISD police officers play a crucial role in preventing students from abusing vapes and electronic cigarettes.
“There is still criminal and administrative punishment,” officer Ben Boerhaave said. “The lowest level of the criminal offense is a fine, plus the administrative side, which is 30 days of DAEP.”
According to officer Cary Noiel, they handle students caught with possession of vapes the same way as done before.
“I will issue a minor possession charge if it is just a vape pen and handle,” Noiel said. “The school is the one who dishes out the punishment for DAEP placement, not us.”
As he discussed the new policy, Prosper High School Principal Nicholas Jones explained how it will affect Prosper and other districts as a whole.
“I don’t think we could have stuck to what we were doing if the point was to change behavior,” Jones said. “Now they’re trying to help a different way. I’m glad they did something because I know what were doing before wasn’t working.”
Jones said the consequences of being caught with drugs for extracurriculars and college admissions can be severe.
“If you’re involved in anything, that’s all gone — especially for college,” Jones said. “On your college transcript, it will be written that you were suspended from school for six weeks.”
With the expansion of the school district, Jones said the policy with affect Prosper High.
“I don’t love when our kids aren’t here (PHS). I want our kids to be on campus,” Jones said. “It’s illegal, and you’re purposely doing it (vaping) here. There has to be some sort of response, and I think that will help limit the amount of kids using vape.”
Teachers also have a responsibility to hold students accountable if they are caught with a vape.
“They want to help. They don’t ever want to take their students and throw them out of class for 30 days,” Jones said. “It’s not necessarily what that kid is learning, but how their life progresses and the lessons they learn as they get older. The six weeks will help them with that.”
