Walpole police report uptick in youth vaping, outline school drills and prevention steps

Walpole Police Chief Gelliher told the School Committee on the evening of the meeting that the department is seeing continued alcohol, tobacco and THC vaping among young people and remains focused on prevention and school safety. “Obviously, it remains to be alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, the t h THC vaping that goes on with some of the kids at that age group,” Chief Gelliher said.

The department reported four overdose responses so far this year with no fatalities, down from typical annual counts in the past. “So 4 this year with no fatalities, which is down significantly from the past,” Gelliher said, and credited Narcan availability and increased willingness to call 911 for the reduction. He said many overdoses locally involve people passing through the area rather than town residents, and that detectives are working with regional partners including the Boston Police Department and the DEA on enforcement and interdiction.

Gelliher described enforcement and prevention steps: merchant monitoring for fake IDs, targeted stings at package stores, and follow-up conversations with underage buyers. He also highlighted the town’s partnership with the Walpole Coalition for Alcohol and Drug Awareness and a recovery coach position that supports overdose follow-up and referrals.

Officer Hart briefed the committee on in-school training and drills. He said the police have completed presentations and drills at six of eight schools and are incorporating a program using “fatal vision” impairment goggles and pedal carts so students can experience, in supervised activities, how impairment affects coordination and judgment. Officer Hart said the program will include varying simulated intoxication levels and will be rolled out to middle- and high-school health classes and on a high school half day before Thanksgiving.

Committee members asked about practical steps for parents and about communicating school safety procedures. Gelliher and Hart emphasized locked exterior doors, the importance of staff verifying visitors, and ongoing coordination among police, school administrators and the fire department for emergency response and debriefing after incidents. Gelliher also noted a hoax call earlier in the year that prompted a SWAT-style response and subsequent debriefs with the FBI and local partners to refine detection and response.

The department asked the committee to consider helping amplify social-host messaging and other prevention outreach to parents and athletic teams to reduce house parties where underage drinking occurs.

The meeting concluded with committee members thanking police staff and SROs for their continued presence in schools and for outreach to families and special-education populations.