By Chris Agnone ’18
THE ROUNDUP
A new clarification to the student handbook prohibits students from using or possessing increasingly popular e-cigarettes.
Brophy administrators emphasize unseen risks and repercussions in the use of vaporizers and e-cigarettes when defending the new drug policy.
“Most people don’t realize that these devices can be used to take illicit drugs, not just nicotine,” said Dean Mr. Pat Higgins.
“The danger that concerns Brophy the most is the possible use of a vaporizer to smoke things such as marijuana and other liquefiable drugs,” said Mr. Higgins.
Arizona law states that the sale of e-cigarettes and vaporizers to anyone under age 18 is illegal. As this new trending activity grows, the dean cautions students to pay attention to the risks of vaporizers.
“The community does not have their hands around this idea of a harmless vaporizer or e-cigarette. There is too much unknown danger,” Mr. Higgins said.
The school handbook states:
“Since e-cigarettes and vaporizers can not only be used to inhale nicotine but also other liquid synthetic drugs, Brophy views possession of this type of paraphernalia as a drug offense. Possession of, fabrication of or use of any drug paraphernalia at any time (including but not limited to lighters, rolling papers, e-cigarettes, hookah pipes and vaporizers) is considered a serious violation of the school’s conduct code and makes a student liable for drug testing, suspension and/or immediate dismissal. Further repercussions for drug and alcohol offenses can be found on the Brophy website under the drug and alcohol policies.”
“They are not part of a healthy human environment and have no place here at Brophy,” Mr. Higgins said.
The use of e-cigarettes and vaporizers by high school students tripled between 2013 and 2014, according to an article written by PubMed.gov.
Brophy students and staff said they had similar views on the clarification of this policy and the emphasis on the risks.
“It should be fairly logical to kids that using a vaporizer is not allowed. I would hope that the kids here are smart enough to realize that it is not allowed. That kind of thing should absolutely be categorized with other illicit drugs,” said Ms. Beth Clarke.
Max Fees ’17 said he agrees with Mr. Higgins.
“It makes a lot of sense … we do not know what is being smoked in it,” he said. “As far as Dean Higgins is concerned, it is a bong and should be treated as such.”
