Jackson County implements vape court for upcoming school year

MGN

JACKSON COUNTY, AL. (WDEF) — Jackson County is working to implement a new vape court for the upcoming school year to reduce student vaping.

School Resource Officers (SRO) will issue citations to students caught with a vape on school campus.

The student and parent/guardian will be required to attend a court session convened by the Jackson County District and Juvenile Court.

The Vape Court can issue penalties such as a mandatory four hour educational course, community services hours, and potential fines.

Surrounding counties such as Marshall and Cullman have implemented The Vape Court, and have seen significant improvement.

These schools will still enforce their own policies on vaping, along with what The Vape Court issues.

Mountain Lakes Behavioral Healthcare’s Prevention Team will teach the four hour course as part of the American Lung Association’s INDEPTH program.

This course is funded by a grant from the Alabama Department of Mental Health.

In Alabama, it’s illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to have and use tobacco or nicotine products.

Judge Don Wood of the Jackson County District Court says, “By holding students accountable and educating them on the dangers of vaping, we aim to create a safer and healthier school environment.  This initiative demonstrates our commitment to addressing this issue head-on.”