Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment Vaping Autism Support topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Local autism group urges Goodyear to act on youth vaping, offers outreach program
Summary
Sounds of Autism representatives urged the City Council to strengthen age restrictions, enforce retail sales limits and partner on an "Escape the Vape" outreach campaign; a family representative also described a fentanyl death and announced plans for a West Valley training/warehouse center.
Two public commenters representing Sounds of Autism addressed the City Council on June 23, urging action to curb underage vaping and offering community outreach and resources.
Jamie Aldama, who identified himself as executive director of Sounds of Autism and a resident of Glendale, told council the West Valley faces an "epidemic" of underage vaping that disrupts school and sports participation. Aldama asked the city to work with the police and fire chiefs to enforce existing sales restrictions and to consider raising the minimum purchase age for vaping products to 21 if an ordinance is not already in place. He also described a proposed outreach campaign called "Escape the Vape" that the organization is offering to bring to West Valley cities.
Cricket Barrientos, a Goodyear resident who said she works with the organization and described personal experience with substance-related tragedy, recounted the 2022 death of her son Nico from a fentanyl overdose and said the group plans to open a warehouse distribution and training center to provide resources and support for people with autism and other vulnerable groups. Barrientos said the center will offer training and support to individuals affected by domestic violence, child crimes and addiction.
Council members thanked the speakers and asked staff to provide follow‑up information. The city manager said staff will share with council how prior local ordinance work on age limits and enforcement had been handled and will provide additional information as requested.
No formal council action was taken during the public comment period; council requested staff follow-up and offered to receive contact information and program details from Sounds of Autism.
