Today we are talking about a very serious topic related to vaping and the challenges with disposing of vape cartridges. We’ll hear from Amy Miller, Juanita Weinert, and two student leaders who are working to spread awareness about this important topic.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER1:
Today we're talking about a very serious topic related to vaping and the
challenges with disposing of vape cartridges. (00:00):
undefined
We'll hear from Amy Miller, Juanita Weinert, and two student leaders who areworking to spread awareness about this important topic.
SPEAKER2: Welcome to this episode of Inside the OSD podcast, where it's all about the kids. (00:17):
undefined
Here is your host, lifelong educator, and our superintendent, Doctor LeslieBergstrom.
SPEAKER1: Could you please introduce yourself and tell our listeners about your background in the OSD and your role with respect to this topic? (00:30):
undefined
SPEAKER3: Yeah, I'm Juanita Weinert, and I am in my 24th year here at Oregon High School, a teacher. (00:39):
undefined
I teach health classes and family and consumer science courses.
And so I would say my role as a health teacher has brought me into, um, youknow, researching and kind of talking
(01:02):
about this topic today.
Thank you.
SPEAKER4: And I'm Amy Miller. (01:04):
undefined
As the community ed.
director, my focus was very, very much on wellness and wellness in the categoryof healthy active kids are better learners.
So focusing on the positive of get enough sleep, eat, eat well, exercise, andpositive coping habits.
So the reason I am very interested in this topic is the concern and the recentconcern, probably in the last ten years, about what we now
(01:33):
know about the dangers of nicotine and how it damages the developing teen brainand body.
SPEAKER1: Okay, now that's a wonderful lead in for the next question. (01:39):
undefined
What can you tell us about this serious topic of vaping among teens in general?
And then what do parents and adults in our community need to know?
SPEAKER3: Well, there's so much to--to talk about when it comes to vaping. (01:56):
undefined
I guess what I started observing what it was doing to our kids when, um, thee-cigarettes came out on the market
and just the shift in what you're noticing in the classroom and throughobservation.
(02:17):
So then knowing that that was something we really needed to because health isa--is a shifting curriculum because we focus on
what where the kids are at.
SPEAKER1: It needs to be relevant. (02:29):
undefined
SPEAKER3: Yes, yes. (02:30):
undefined
And so I think that is where, um, you know, I noticed the how serious it was.
And then, um, I think our parents and our community, you know, I think it's notlooking at everyone is using.
It's just keeping your eyes and ears open to listening to our kids, you know,listening to their concerns and knowing that they
(02:57):
are exposed to kids that are using.
And so just learning how to stand up under that peer pressure.
And yeah.
SPEAKER1: That's always been something that you've done a lot of modeling with in the class, right? (03:08):
undefined
How to stand up to peer pressure?
SPEAKER3: Yeah, we--actually that was our last unit was on peer pressure. (03:13):
undefined
We shifted that a little bit this year as well.
SPEAKER1: Yeah. Super relevant. (03:19):
undefined
SPEAKER4: Um, just to add to that, I would say knowing that and most people have heard of Juul, the manufacturer, and that their products (03:22):
undefined
started selling to teens and clearly, clearly marketing to teens between 2013to about 2018.
And as adults in the school, as educators, as parents.
(03:44):
We were unaware of this targeted marketing.
And by the time we became aware as a system, when we typically do our DaneCounty Youth assessment every three years and in
2018, 30.9% of our high school students reported vaping in the--or use ofe-cigarettes in the last
(04:06):
12 months, which was shocking to us.
Yes. And at that point, we came together as health educators, as wellnesspeople, and started talking about what we can do because
obviously there is misinformation and targeted marketing to our youth.
SPEAKER1: Absolutely. I think years ago, at the beginning of this vaping, I'd almost say epidemic. (04:24):
undefined
I think that people didn't know what they were finding in their kid's pockets,and very often thought they were flash drives or something else.
And so there was a big opportunity to educate families on what they should belooking for.
(04:45):
And then where can families learn more about what they should do if they areconcerned that their teen is vaping, and then what supports available at OHS?
SPEAKER4: So a couple of things up front is - number one thing that parents and community members need to know is nicotine is highly addictive. (04:55):
undefined
It is one of the most highly addictive chemicals there are.
It affects the developing brain and body, obviously, as well as adult bodies.
The devices themselves have metals and other things.
(05:17):
As part of the development of that which gets into your lungs as well.
So there are so many different layers of danger for youth developing bodies.
But on the other side, what Miss Weinert talked about was if our communityperception or a school perception or a youth perception is everyone
is vaping or a lot of people are vaping, then there is a belief it normalizes.
(05:43):
And what we want to make sure that our families and our community understandsis there is a small number of students that are vaping.
We are concerned about those students.
It is a public health issue.
We want to help those students, but we need parents to help their teens andpre-teens to understand it's not everyone.
We completed a Dane County Youth Assessment in February of 2024, and our highschool students reported use in the last 12
(06:11):
months. Vaping in the last 12 months was 11.2%.
SPEAKER1: That's a significant drop from 2018 and (06:14):
undefined
SPEAKER4: 89% are not vaping. (06:17):
undefined
And our youth, Robert and Ronan will be speaking to that shortly.
Our middle school, there was a 5% report that students at the middle school inthe last 12 months, 5% of the students reported
vaping. So there's the two messages of it's dangerous and how it's dangerous tothe developing brain and body, but also a misperception that
(06:42):
many people are doing it.
SPEAKER1: I really appreciate that you said that because it's important for families and for kids to know that it is not many people, um, very concerned about those who (06:44):
undefined
are, but it is not many.
And, um, the other piece connected to that is the perception of a dangerconnected to vaping for our middle school
(07:06):
students. If I remember correctly, the most recent Dane County Youth assessmentshowed an increase in the number of students at the middle school level who
didn't believe it was a problem or a danger.
SPEAKER4: Danger to themselves. (07:18):
undefined
Correct. It's not wrong or very wrong to use.
SPEAKER1: Um, so every step along this way, we have found points that we could supply information, whether it's to parents to help them (07:22):
undefined
understand what they should be looking for, or it's to students to help themunderstand the danger to their developing body.
So an issue related to vaping is the--oh, one thing I did not get to.
(07:45):
I want to go back. What support is available at OHS?
SPEAKER3: So um, last year we put up signs around the school just saying if you feel you might be hooked (07:49):
undefined
on, you know, the drug nicotine, then can--you--here's where you can reach out.
It's--it's confidential for the students.
(08:09):
Um, and I think I went all year thinking, "oh, I'm not going to have anystudents." And then all of a sudden at the end of the year, I had a number, a
nice large group of students who I learned a lot about to--to be able to movethis forward.
Right. Um, and they really talked about their--where they started young.
(08:30):
So starting in the middle school or before that and the addiction, they talkedabout how hard it is to quit.
And so they just--they want to move this forward to inform more um, teens, um,as to be able to
support even our younger generation coming up.
(08:52):
So that's wonderful.
You know, it's something I think any parent could reach to the school.
Um, and there's so--there's resources and student services.
So I think it's just a simple call to the office to say, "hey, who could I talkto about this?" I could be one resource, but there's many resources.
SPEAKER1: I think we have some good resources on our website, too, that if people wanted to do some of their own learning prior to reaching out, I think there's plenty (09:11):
undefined
available for that.
But I'm really grateful that students found a safe space and a safe person inyou, because that is the first step to to making decisions that will make
themselves healthier people.
SPEAKER4: So what's nice about the cessation program is, number one, we are one of the few, um, programs--in person cessation programs in the state of Wisconsin. (09:31):
undefined
I'm on a lot of state level meetings, and it is really, really exciting thatJuanita opted in to being trained.
She is a trained facilitator for a cessation program, and with the informationshe gleaned from the students she's working with who some are opting in because
(09:57):
they just know they need help, and some maybe had some kind of a violation andit opened a door for help.
So there's multiple pathways to get help.
But what the information from the students did was we now have a trainedfacilitator at our middle school, because if students are starting early,
the earlier we can stop them on that path, the sooner we can get them on thatpath toward their goals.
(10:22):
And nicotine and vaping definitely can interfere with short term and long termgoals.
SPEAKER1: Absolutely. (10:27):
undefined
SPEAKER4: The other thing to keep in mind, if you are not comfortable talking to the school about a situation like this, contact your pediatrician or your (10:28):
undefined
family physician.
They are well equipped in helping support cessation efforts.
Sometimes, depending on the level of nicotine involvement, they may need to usea medical medicine to be able to support positive change.
(10:54):
So maybe it's school, maybe it's home, but know that there's someone to reachout to.
We all understand that there's many reasons students start, and nobody everstarted saying, "I want to get addicted." It's "I used for a reason or I'm using
for coping and now I can't stop."
SPEAKER1: I'm so glad that you mentioned the possibility of reaching out to a pediatrician or a family physician, because I understand sometimes people don't want to turn (11:12):
undefined
to the school. So I'm glad that you put that out there as an option.
So an issue related to vaping, of course, is vape cartridges and their safedisposal.
And you've been working with two of our student leaders on this topic.
(11:34):
And before we turn to our students, can you give us an overview of how you cameupon this particular issue?
SPEAKER4: Well, I would say originally for me, it would be walking my dog. (11:41):
undefined
Um, walking in the community, seeing a vape Cartridge, a leftover vapecartridge, or a crushed vape cartridge on the sidewalk, and thinking about dogs
and young children wondering what happens to it.
Understanding that the vape manufacturers are trying to stay away ahead offederal regulations.
(12:05):
So now the vape devices that we have looked at are all one molded piece ofplastic.
And the more I have had opportunities to learn through regional and nationalwebinars and understanding what's in that molded piece of plastic.
The lithium battery is not recyclable in standard recycling.
It is a hazardous waste.
(12:26):
Also inside that device is nicotine, which is an acute hazardous waste.
And we were able to have a conversation with students we were working with onour positive social norming and their advocacy.
And once we brought forward that idea of this is really dangerous, we happen tohave a student in AP biology.
(12:50):
What was your--environmental?
Environmental science. Environmental science!
And it became a very passionate issue.
So finding out it's local and most of us have seen the devices locally, andthen learning more about the dangers and realizing that on the
packaging it says possibly throw it in the trash.
(13:13):
It may say recycle it.
We know that's wrong, but the average person does not.
SPEAKER1: Thank you very much. (13:20):
undefined
So now let's turn to our students.
So if you could each please introduce yourself to our audience.
SPEAKER5: Um, I'm Ronan Hannibal, a senior here at OHS, and I have been working on this, uh, alcohol and drug abuse awareness program or (13:28):
undefined
campaign for a little over a year now.
SPEAKER1: Thank you. (13:41):
undefined
SPEAKER5: Uh, yeah. My name is Robert Daun. (13:42):
undefined
I'm also a senior here at OHS.
Um, again, Ronan and I and another student met about 14-15 months ago.
Um, we call ourselves the Positive Social Norming Group.
I love it, and we've been working towards educating the community around us.
SPEAKER1: Well, can you please describe the project you've been working on to our listeners? (13:59):
undefined
This is really interesting.
SPEAKER5: Um, the specific project in the box forming now or the overall campaign? (14:04):
undefined
SPEAKER1: Well, you can do both. (14:09):
undefined
I'd love to hear about both of them.
SPEAKER5: Overall, I'd say in the past 14, 15 months we've been working on educating the students and staff here at OHS about the (14:12):
undefined
misconceptions surrounding vapes and abuse of substances here at OHS.
Um, yeah.
(14:32):
I think to add on to that, um, we've definitely focused in on our students andclassmates around us, but we also want to take a community aspect to it.
Um, not just Oregon, but Dane County and whole.
And these two campaigns really do overlap each other.
Um, but it's really great to see the changes that we've been able to makearound us in general.
(14:52):
Yeah, with the, um, we were able to use the Dane County Youth Assessmentto--really it came in at the perfect time, a couple months after we had started
this campaign with, uh, um, educating the students and staff here.
Um, we saw numbers go down with awareness and misconceptions, which was reallypositive and really nice to see because we we started
(15:17):
the slogan of "Join the Crowd," which stemmed from, uh, seeing that the actualamount of people that use at OHS is a lot lower than
the perceived, uh, idea of amount of people that use OHS, like we would see,uh, staff and students regularly say, thinking
that 30 to 50% of students may be using and the number is much closer to below10%.
SPEAKER1: So you're helping people gain a better understanding of the current reality. (15:43):
undefined
SPEAKER5: Yeah for sure. And then with that, um, allows there to almost be, uh, I wouldn't say, um, more hope, I guess for sure. (15:47):
undefined
Or, um, more of a, um, good basis to start off of, and especially people whodon't use seeing, um, that a lot less people use
than they may think make it seem like it isn't popular.
(16:10):
It's something that isn't, um, not necessarily something that, you know, comeswith life, I guess, or something that definitely has to be a part of
or, uh, is used in daily or daily aspects in life, I guess.
Yeah. So, for example, last year we had the chance to talk to the staff ofOregon High School.
(16:32):
Um, and we did a real time poll, um, with how many people they expect to be,um, vaping in our,
our high school.
And that gave us data.
And we kind of noticed the fact that students usually look up to theireducators as maybe not role models, but people that they can help and they can
(16:55):
trust. Sure.
Um, so it was good for us to educate them in order to educate the studentsaround us, too.
SPEAKER1: Do you remember what percentage of the student body are staff believed are used, and is that using just vaping or AOD in general? (17:03):
undefined
Alcohol and other drugs in general?
SPEAKER5: It was solely vaping. (17:14):
undefined
Okay. Thank you. They guessed around 50%.
Wow. Um, when in reality, it was only ten.
Wow. So we're not just trying to change the misperceptions within students, butalso.
Absolutely. Us, too.
SPEAKER1: Yeah. So how did that lead to the second project then? (17:28):
undefined
Which is safe--Safe disposal?
SPEAKER5: Well, we would see on, like, uh, Amy Miller previously mentioned on these packages, it would say that throwing away in a trash (17:34):
undefined
or, um, mostly like throwing away in a trash was okay.
Um, and it didn't mention the huge environmental impacts that disposing oflithium batteries and plastic waste just out on
(17:57):
sidewalks and into the into the grass is really harmful for the environment.
Uh, yeah. So we realized this problem and we wanted to make a change.
Yeah. Um, last spring, we got the chance to talk with some Dane Countyexecutives about this problem, and we believe we really influenced them.
About two weeks after our conversation, um, the safe disposal of vape devicesand vape cartridges showed up on the Clean Sweep.
(18:24):
Wow. Website.
So that was a reflection of our work and how we're trying to better thecommunity around us.
SPEAKER1: Oh, absolutely. Seeing the positive impact you had in such a clear and really quick manner. (18:30):
undefined
Um, that must have been a really great feeling.
SPEAKER5: Yeah, I think--I think it--it also is just a good sign in general that the campaign is making real progress and that this is something that, you know, (18:42):
undefined
we--we can change this.
This isn't, um, like a wide like--the epidemic doesn't need to continue tospread or, um, necessarily like there are, um, outlets and ways
(19:04):
to change the, um, the amount that people are vaping and help helping thosepeople and making sure that, like, you know,
there are people who are going to vape and that, you know, if you're going touse, then, you know, to dispose of it in a more environmentally conscious way
than, you know, destroying the environment with, um, the, like, the lithiumbatteries and such that really, um, when, when put in a or
(19:32):
disposed of in a proper way is um, certainly better for the environment, Iguess.
Yeah.
SPEAKER1: So what is the most important thing you've learned since being a part of this project? (19:38):
undefined
For either of you.
SPEAKER5: That's a really good question. (19:44):
undefined
I think for me it was the environmental aspect.
Yeah. Um, after that meeting that we had with the Dane County executives,another student and I had the chance to compete at Madison College, um,
on a business plan competition, and ours was focused around the environment andbasically the safe disposal of chemicals.
(20:06):
Yeah. Um, how they're harming our waterways.
So it kind of illuminated a path for me about how we can change the community.
We can also change, like the social norms and environmental norms around us.
SPEAKER1: That's really cool. (20:17):
undefined
How about you, Ronan?
SPEAKER5: Um, for me, it's for sure that I feel like there's a pretty good understanding that vaping and cigarettes are bad for you. (20:19):
undefined
But I do really feel like people don't understand the severity that it holds.
I mean, a simple, you know, like, uh, one vape that you would see at a store isabout 25,000 puffs.
(20:42):
But that, like puff metric, is kind of hard to understand.
So pretty blatantly, most of those vapes hold up to about 100--100 boxes ofcigarettes, um, in each individual vape, which--that's remarkable.
Yeah. For sure.
I mean, just, you know, it's pretty--it's pretty blatant.
And, you know, that's a lot.
And that's, um, and it's just it's something that I feel like.
(21:05):
Yeah, it's cigarettes.
Um, there were campaigns and cigarettes died down in the late 90s, early 2000,and then vaping came up on a rise.
And I feel like people don't understand that vaping is just another extensionof smoking cigarettes, and honestly, is probably a lot worse for you, even
though it started off as an alternative, a better alternative now.
(21:28):
I mean, vapes are very blatantly marketed towards children with these colorful,um, names and flavors.
It's it's obvious that, um, these companies have a campaign to market towardsyoung teens, just like cigarette companies preyed on teens
for 100 years plus.
SPEAKER1: Wow. So as you reflect on your time here in the school district, what do you think you'll take away from your experiences at OHS? (21:49):
undefined
And then what's next for you?
SPEAKER5: Uh, I think specifically this group, um, it really helped me become a leader, uh, throughout my school. (22:01):
undefined
Um, because I saw that when I had newfound knowledge, I can spread it to mypeers.
Um. And I can better every everybody around me.
Um, I think that's super important to take into college and into the workforce,because it really helps you take charge, and you can make a difference around
(22:25):
you anywhere. Uh, yeah.
Building off that, I think this whole campaign and, um, the general, uh, Iguess, yeah, the campaign itself really, um,
forced me to think critically about, um, harder things.
And it definitely I mean, it made me present to, um, larger groups and, youknow, stuff that I never would have imagined as a freshman I would--I would end
(22:51):
up doing and definitely helped me as a speaker.
Um, thinking about problems in the world, um, like this definitely invigoratedmy passion for issues like, um, I've definitely become a lot more involved in
politics and, um, just like, generally like, issues, um, like, I like to keepmyself informed.
(23:13):
And this is one of those things that really like you need I feel like it'sreally important to know about the severity and issues, along with many other
things and facets in life.
And I think that's really, um, it really helped me get passion or I guess, um,yeah, really ignited my passion for, um, certain issues.
SPEAKER1: Well, as I'm listening to the two of you, I can't imagine, honestly, two better examples of our Portrait of a Graduate. (23:34):
undefined
I mean, all of the different skills that you are incorporating into your questto make things better for other people.
Thank you so much for speaking with us on behalf of our entire district.
(23:55):
I want you to know what an important effort this is, and how impressed we areand how proud we are of your work.
Remember that you can find links to all episodes of Inside the OSD and submittopic ideas on our website at Oregon
SD.org/podcast. You can find this podcast anywhere you can find podcasts.
(24:18):
Make sure to subscribe if you're listening on one of these apps to getnotifications on the most recent episodes.
We'll see you next time on Inside the OSD, where it's all about the kids.
undefined
We'll hear from Amy Miller, Juanita Weinert, and two student leaders who areworking to spread awareness about this important topic.
SPEAKER2: Welcome to this episode of Inside the OSD podcast, where it's all about the kids. (00:17):
undefined
Here is your host, lifelong educator, and our superintendent, Doctor LeslieBergstrom.
SPEAKER1: Could you please introduce yourself and tell our listeners about your background in the OSD and your role with respect to this topic? (00:30):
undefined
SPEAKER3: Yeah, I'm Juanita Weinert, and I am in my 24th year here at Oregon High School, a teacher. (00:39):
undefined
I teach health classes and family and consumer science courses.
And so I would say my role as a health teacher has brought me into, um, youknow, researching and kind of talking
(01:02):
about this topic today.
Thank you.
SPEAKER4: And I'm Amy Miller. (01:04):
undefined
As the community ed.
director, my focus was very, very much on wellness and wellness in the categoryof healthy active kids are better learners.
So focusing on the positive of get enough sleep, eat, eat well, exercise, andpositive coping habits.
So the reason I am very interested in this topic is the concern and the recentconcern, probably in the last ten years, about what we now
(01:33):
know about the dangers of nicotine and how it damages the developing teen brainand body.
SPEAKER1: Okay, now that's a wonderful lead in for the next question. (01:39):
undefined
What can you tell us about this serious topic of vaping among teens in general?
And then what do parents and adults in our community need to know?
SPEAKER3: Well, there's so much to--to talk about when it comes to vaping. (01:56):
undefined
I guess what I started observing what it was doing to our kids when, um, thee-cigarettes came out on the market
and just the shift in what you're noticing in the classroom and throughobservation.
(02:17):
So then knowing that that was something we really needed to because health isa--is a shifting curriculum because we focus on
what where the kids are at.
SPEAKER1: It needs to be relevant. (02:29):
undefined
SPEAKER3: Yes, yes. (02:30):
undefined
And so I think that is where, um, you know, I noticed the how serious it was.
And then, um, I think our parents and our community, you know, I think it's notlooking at everyone is using.
It's just keeping your eyes and ears open to listening to our kids, you know,listening to their concerns and knowing that they
(02:57):
are exposed to kids that are using.
And so just learning how to stand up under that peer pressure.
And yeah.
SPEAKER1: That's always been something that you've done a lot of modeling with in the class, right? (03:08):
undefined
How to stand up to peer pressure?
SPEAKER3: Yeah, we--actually that was our last unit was on peer pressure. (03:13):
undefined
We shifted that a little bit this year as well.
SPEAKER1: Yeah. Super relevant. (03:19):
undefined
SPEAKER4: Um, just to add to that, I would say knowing that and most people have heard of Juul, the manufacturer, and that their products (03:22):
undefined
started selling to teens and clearly, clearly marketing to teens between 2013to about 2018.
And as adults in the school, as educators, as parents.
(03:44):
We were unaware of this targeted marketing.
And by the time we became aware as a system, when we typically do our DaneCounty Youth assessment every three years and in
2018, 30.9% of our high school students reported vaping in the--or use ofe-cigarettes in the last
(04:06):
12 months, which was shocking to us.
Yes. And at that point, we came together as health educators, as wellnesspeople, and started talking about what we can do because
obviously there is misinformation and targeted marketing to our youth.
SPEAKER1: Absolutely. I think years ago, at the beginning of this vaping, I'd almost say epidemic. (04:24):
undefined
I think that people didn't know what they were finding in their kid's pockets,and very often thought they were flash drives or something else.
And so there was a big opportunity to educate families on what they should belooking for.
(04:45):
And then where can families learn more about what they should do if they areconcerned that their teen is vaping, and then what supports available at OHS?
SPEAKER4: So a couple of things up front is - number one thing that parents and community members need to know is nicotine is highly addictive. (04:55):
undefined
It is one of the most highly addictive chemicals there are.
It affects the developing brain and body, obviously, as well as adult bodies.
The devices themselves have metals and other things.
(05:17):
As part of the development of that which gets into your lungs as well.
So there are so many different layers of danger for youth developing bodies.
But on the other side, what Miss Weinert talked about was if our communityperception or a school perception or a youth perception is everyone
is vaping or a lot of people are vaping, then there is a belief it normalizes.
(05:43):
And what we want to make sure that our families and our community understandsis there is a small number of students that are vaping.
We are concerned about those students.
It is a public health issue.
We want to help those students, but we need parents to help their teens andpre-teens to understand it's not everyone.
We completed a Dane County Youth Assessment in February of 2024, and our highschool students reported use in the last 12
(06:11):
months. Vaping in the last 12 months was 11.2%.
SPEAKER1: That's a significant drop from 2018 and (06:14):
undefined
SPEAKER4: 89% are not vaping. (06:17):
undefined
And our youth, Robert and Ronan will be speaking to that shortly.
Our middle school, there was a 5% report that students at the middle school inthe last 12 months, 5% of the students reported
vaping. So there's the two messages of it's dangerous and how it's dangerous tothe developing brain and body, but also a misperception that
(06:42):
many people are doing it.
SPEAKER1: I really appreciate that you said that because it's important for families and for kids to know that it is not many people, um, very concerned about those who (06:44):
undefined
are, but it is not many.
And, um, the other piece connected to that is the perception of a dangerconnected to vaping for our middle school
(07:06):
students. If I remember correctly, the most recent Dane County Youth assessmentshowed an increase in the number of students at the middle school level who
didn't believe it was a problem or a danger.
SPEAKER4: Danger to themselves. (07:18):
undefined
Correct. It's not wrong or very wrong to use.
SPEAKER1: Um, so every step along this way, we have found points that we could supply information, whether it's to parents to help them (07:22):
undefined
understand what they should be looking for, or it's to students to help themunderstand the danger to their developing body.
So an issue related to vaping is the--oh, one thing I did not get to.
(07:45):
I want to go back. What support is available at OHS?
SPEAKER3: So um, last year we put up signs around the school just saying if you feel you might be hooked (07:49):
undefined
on, you know, the drug nicotine, then can--you--here's where you can reach out.
It's--it's confidential for the students.
(08:09):
Um, and I think I went all year thinking, "oh, I'm not going to have anystudents." And then all of a sudden at the end of the year, I had a number, a
nice large group of students who I learned a lot about to--to be able to movethis forward.
Right. Um, and they really talked about their--where they started young.
(08:30):
So starting in the middle school or before that and the addiction, they talkedabout how hard it is to quit.
And so they just--they want to move this forward to inform more um, teens, um,as to be able to
support even our younger generation coming up.
(08:52):
So that's wonderful.
You know, it's something I think any parent could reach to the school.
Um, and there's so--there's resources and student services.
So I think it's just a simple call to the office to say, "hey, who could I talkto about this?" I could be one resource, but there's many resources.
SPEAKER1: I think we have some good resources on our website, too, that if people wanted to do some of their own learning prior to reaching out, I think there's plenty (09:11):
undefined
available for that.
But I'm really grateful that students found a safe space and a safe person inyou, because that is the first step to to making decisions that will make
themselves healthier people.
SPEAKER4: So what's nice about the cessation program is, number one, we are one of the few, um, programs--in person cessation programs in the state of Wisconsin. (09:31):
undefined
I'm on a lot of state level meetings, and it is really, really exciting thatJuanita opted in to being trained.
She is a trained facilitator for a cessation program, and with the informationshe gleaned from the students she's working with who some are opting in because
(09:57):
they just know they need help, and some maybe had some kind of a violation andit opened a door for help.
So there's multiple pathways to get help.
But what the information from the students did was we now have a trainedfacilitator at our middle school, because if students are starting early,
the earlier we can stop them on that path, the sooner we can get them on thatpath toward their goals.
(10:22):
And nicotine and vaping definitely can interfere with short term and long termgoals.
SPEAKER1: Absolutely. (10:27):
undefined
SPEAKER4: The other thing to keep in mind, if you are not comfortable talking to the school about a situation like this, contact your pediatrician or your (10:28):
undefined
family physician.
They are well equipped in helping support cessation efforts.
Sometimes, depending on the level of nicotine involvement, they may need to usea medical medicine to be able to support positive change.
(10:54):
So maybe it's school, maybe it's home, but know that there's someone to reachout to.
We all understand that there's many reasons students start, and nobody everstarted saying, "I want to get addicted." It's "I used for a reason or I'm using
for coping and now I can't stop."
SPEAKER1: I'm so glad that you mentioned the possibility of reaching out to a pediatrician or a family physician, because I understand sometimes people don't want to turn (11:12):
undefined
to the school. So I'm glad that you put that out there as an option.
So an issue related to vaping, of course, is vape cartridges and their safedisposal.
And you've been working with two of our student leaders on this topic.
(11:34):
And before we turn to our students, can you give us an overview of how you cameupon this particular issue?
SPEAKER4: Well, I would say originally for me, it would be walking my dog. (11:41):
undefined
Um, walking in the community, seeing a vape Cartridge, a leftover vapecartridge, or a crushed vape cartridge on the sidewalk, and thinking about dogs
and young children wondering what happens to it.
Understanding that the vape manufacturers are trying to stay away ahead offederal regulations.
(12:05):
So now the vape devices that we have looked at are all one molded piece ofplastic.
And the more I have had opportunities to learn through regional and nationalwebinars and understanding what's in that molded piece of plastic.
The lithium battery is not recyclable in standard recycling.
It is a hazardous waste.
(12:26):
Also inside that device is nicotine, which is an acute hazardous waste.
And we were able to have a conversation with students we were working with onour positive social norming and their advocacy.
And once we brought forward that idea of this is really dangerous, we happen tohave a student in AP biology.
(12:50):
What was your--environmental?
Environmental science. Environmental science!
And it became a very passionate issue.
So finding out it's local and most of us have seen the devices locally, andthen learning more about the dangers and realizing that on the
packaging it says possibly throw it in the trash.
(13:13):
It may say recycle it.
We know that's wrong, but the average person does not.
SPEAKER1: Thank you very much. (13:20):
undefined
So now let's turn to our students.
So if you could each please introduce yourself to our audience.
SPEAKER5: Um, I'm Ronan Hannibal, a senior here at OHS, and I have been working on this, uh, alcohol and drug abuse awareness program or (13:28):
undefined
campaign for a little over a year now.
SPEAKER1: Thank you. (13:41):
undefined
SPEAKER5: Uh, yeah. My name is Robert Daun. (13:42):
undefined
I'm also a senior here at OHS.
Um, again, Ronan and I and another student met about 14-15 months ago.
Um, we call ourselves the Positive Social Norming Group.
I love it, and we've been working towards educating the community around us.
SPEAKER1: Well, can you please describe the project you've been working on to our listeners? (13:59):
undefined
This is really interesting.
SPEAKER5: Um, the specific project in the box forming now or the overall campaign? (14:04):
undefined
SPEAKER1: Well, you can do both. (14:09):
undefined
I'd love to hear about both of them.
SPEAKER5: Overall, I'd say in the past 14, 15 months we've been working on educating the students and staff here at OHS about the (14:12):
undefined
misconceptions surrounding vapes and abuse of substances here at OHS.
Um, yeah.
(14:32):
I think to add on to that, um, we've definitely focused in on our students andclassmates around us, but we also want to take a community aspect to it.
Um, not just Oregon, but Dane County and whole.
And these two campaigns really do overlap each other.
Um, but it's really great to see the changes that we've been able to makearound us in general.
(14:52):
Yeah, with the, um, we were able to use the Dane County Youth Assessmentto--really it came in at the perfect time, a couple months after we had started
this campaign with, uh, um, educating the students and staff here.
Um, we saw numbers go down with awareness and misconceptions, which was reallypositive and really nice to see because we we started
(15:17):
the slogan of "Join the Crowd," which stemmed from, uh, seeing that the actualamount of people that use at OHS is a lot lower than
the perceived, uh, idea of amount of people that use OHS, like we would see,uh, staff and students regularly say, thinking
that 30 to 50% of students may be using and the number is much closer to below10%.
SPEAKER1: So you're helping people gain a better understanding of the current reality. (15:43):
undefined
SPEAKER5: Yeah for sure. And then with that, um, allows there to almost be, uh, I wouldn't say, um, more hope, I guess for sure. (15:47):
undefined
Or, um, more of a, um, good basis to start off of, and especially people whodon't use seeing, um, that a lot less people use
than they may think make it seem like it isn't popular.
(16:10):
It's something that isn't, um, not necessarily something that, you know, comeswith life, I guess, or something that definitely has to be a part of
or, uh, is used in daily or daily aspects in life, I guess.
Yeah. So, for example, last year we had the chance to talk to the staff ofOregon High School.
(16:32):
Um, and we did a real time poll, um, with how many people they expect to be,um, vaping in our,
our high school.
And that gave us data.
And we kind of noticed the fact that students usually look up to theireducators as maybe not role models, but people that they can help and they can
(16:55):
trust. Sure.
Um, so it was good for us to educate them in order to educate the studentsaround us, too.
SPEAKER1: Do you remember what percentage of the student body are staff believed are used, and is that using just vaping or AOD in general? (17:03):
undefined
Alcohol and other drugs in general?
SPEAKER5: It was solely vaping. (17:14):
undefined
Okay. Thank you. They guessed around 50%.
Wow. Um, when in reality, it was only ten.
Wow. So we're not just trying to change the misperceptions within students, butalso.
Absolutely. Us, too.
SPEAKER1: Yeah. So how did that lead to the second project then? (17:28):
undefined
Which is safe--Safe disposal?
SPEAKER5: Well, we would see on, like, uh, Amy Miller previously mentioned on these packages, it would say that throwing away in a trash (17:34):
undefined
or, um, mostly like throwing away in a trash was okay.
Um, and it didn't mention the huge environmental impacts that disposing oflithium batteries and plastic waste just out on
(17:57):
sidewalks and into the into the grass is really harmful for the environment.
Uh, yeah. So we realized this problem and we wanted to make a change.
Yeah. Um, last spring, we got the chance to talk with some Dane Countyexecutives about this problem, and we believe we really influenced them.
About two weeks after our conversation, um, the safe disposal of vape devicesand vape cartridges showed up on the Clean Sweep.
(18:24):
Wow. Website.
So that was a reflection of our work and how we're trying to better thecommunity around us.
SPEAKER1: Oh, absolutely. Seeing the positive impact you had in such a clear and really quick manner. (18:30):
undefined
Um, that must have been a really great feeling.
SPEAKER5: Yeah, I think--I think it--it also is just a good sign in general that the campaign is making real progress and that this is something that, you know, (18:42):
undefined
we--we can change this.
This isn't, um, like a wide like--the epidemic doesn't need to continue tospread or, um, necessarily like there are, um, outlets and ways
(19:04):
to change the, um, the amount that people are vaping and help helping thosepeople and making sure that, like, you know,
there are people who are going to vape and that, you know, if you're going touse, then, you know, to dispose of it in a more environmentally conscious way
than, you know, destroying the environment with, um, the, like, the lithiumbatteries and such that really, um, when, when put in a or
(19:32):
disposed of in a proper way is um, certainly better for the environment, Iguess.
Yeah.
SPEAKER1: So what is the most important thing you've learned since being a part of this project? (19:38):
undefined
For either of you.
SPEAKER5: That's a really good question. (19:44):
undefined
I think for me it was the environmental aspect.
Yeah. Um, after that meeting that we had with the Dane County executives,another student and I had the chance to compete at Madison College, um,
on a business plan competition, and ours was focused around the environment andbasically the safe disposal of chemicals.
(20:06):
Yeah. Um, how they're harming our waterways.
So it kind of illuminated a path for me about how we can change the community.
We can also change, like the social norms and environmental norms around us.
SPEAKER1: That's really cool. (20:17):
undefined
How about you, Ronan?
SPEAKER5: Um, for me, it's for sure that I feel like there's a pretty good understanding that vaping and cigarettes are bad for you. (20:19):
undefined
But I do really feel like people don't understand the severity that it holds.
I mean, a simple, you know, like, uh, one vape that you would see at a store isabout 25,000 puffs.
(20:42):
But that, like puff metric, is kind of hard to understand.
So pretty blatantly, most of those vapes hold up to about 100--100 boxes ofcigarettes, um, in each individual vape, which--that's remarkable.
Yeah. For sure.
I mean, just, you know, it's pretty--it's pretty blatant.
And, you know, that's a lot.
And that's, um, and it's just it's something that I feel like.
(21:05):
Yeah, it's cigarettes.
Um, there were campaigns and cigarettes died down in the late 90s, early 2000,and then vaping came up on a rise.
And I feel like people don't understand that vaping is just another extensionof smoking cigarettes, and honestly, is probably a lot worse for you, even
though it started off as an alternative, a better alternative now.
(21:28):
I mean, vapes are very blatantly marketed towards children with these colorful,um, names and flavors.
It's it's obvious that, um, these companies have a campaign to market towardsyoung teens, just like cigarette companies preyed on teens
for 100 years plus.
SPEAKER1: Wow. So as you reflect on your time here in the school district, what do you think you'll take away from your experiences at OHS? (21:49):
undefined
And then what's next for you?
SPEAKER5: Uh, I think specifically this group, um, it really helped me become a leader, uh, throughout my school. (22:01):
undefined
Um, because I saw that when I had newfound knowledge, I can spread it to mypeers.
Um. And I can better every everybody around me.
Um, I think that's super important to take into college and into the workforce,because it really helps you take charge, and you can make a difference around
(22:25):
you anywhere. Uh, yeah.
Building off that, I think this whole campaign and, um, the general, uh, Iguess, yeah, the campaign itself really, um,
forced me to think critically about, um, harder things.
And it definitely I mean, it made me present to, um, larger groups and, youknow, stuff that I never would have imagined as a freshman I would--I would end
(22:51):
up doing and definitely helped me as a speaker.
Um, thinking about problems in the world, um, like this definitely invigoratedmy passion for issues like, um, I've definitely become a lot more involved in
politics and, um, just like, generally like, issues, um, like, I like to keepmyself informed.
(23:13):
And this is one of those things that really like you need I feel like it'sreally important to know about the severity and issues, along with many other
things and facets in life.
And I think that's really, um, it really helped me get passion or I guess, um,yeah, really ignited my passion for, um, certain issues.
SPEAKER1: Well, as I'm listening to the two of you, I can't imagine, honestly, two better examples of our Portrait of a Graduate. (23:34):
undefined
I mean, all of the different skills that you are incorporating into your questto make things better for other people.
Thank you so much for speaking with us on behalf of our entire district.
(23:55):
I want you to know what an important effort this is, and how impressed we areand how proud we are of your work.
Remember that you can find links to all episodes of Inside the OSD and submittopic ideas on our website at Oregon
SD.org/podcast. You can find this podcast anywhere you can find podcasts.
(24:18):
Make sure to subscribe if you're listening on one of these apps to getnotifications on the most recent episodes.
We'll see you next time on Inside the OSD, where it's all about the kids.
Popular Podcasts
Are You A Charlotte?
In 1997, actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in Sex and the City. As we watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. We all saw ourselves in them as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships. Now, Kristin Davis wants to connect with you, the fans, and share untold stories and all the behind the scenes. Together, with Kristin and special guests, what will begin with Sex and the City will evolve into talks about themes that are still so relevant today. "Are you a Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching this beloved show, it brings the past and the present together as we talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.