BUTLER COUNTY, Pa. — A number of local school districts are getting thousands of dollars after a recent settlement with JUUL labs.
Tuesday, Channel 11 learned how this money will help kids kick their vaping habits.
Butler, Karns City and Seneca Valley school districts are coming up with ways to use the settlement money to help stop students from vaping.
These school districts were part of the nationwide class action lawsuit against JUUL labs incorporated. The districts got $311,000 combined.
Butler’s superintendent, Brian White, said they may use some of the money for intervention programs.
“One of our thoughts is to have a diversionary program that students would participate in, instead of being suspended from school for having a vape,” White said.
White thinks prevention is key and plans to have educational programs for students on vape dangers and for parents on what to look for and how to react.
Karns City and Seneca Valley officials also plan to implement similar measures, which parents are happy about.
“It’s so important the schools try to do some education, some preventive measures and getting information for students about their choices now and consequences with vaping in their future,” said Alicia Beighley, a parent in Karns City.
Seneca is using some of its money to bring in speakers and provide more vape education for students through health classes and outreach programs for parents. 11 News asked White about vape detectors.
“We did not have a lot of success with vape detectors in our bathrooms,” White said. “We aren’t sure we want to invest more money in those. The bathrooms aren’t necessary, the main place for them anymore it’s on the school bus, walking to school, in their car.”
However, Karns City plans to add more vape detectors and Seneca Valley is updating its vape detectors in all secondary campus restrooms.
Seneca Valley school leaders said their vape detectors are about five years old, so they plan to get newer and better detectors.
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