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SCAN prevention team outlines school programs, warns of potent and counterfeit vaping products
Summary
SCAN described school-based prevention curricula, community disposal efforts, and rising concerns about high-THC and counterfeit vaping products laced with other substances.
Mary Martinez of SCAN presented the coalition's prevention work in schools and the community, describing curricula, partnerships and a concern about increasingly potent or counterfeit vaping products reaching students.
Mary, coalition coordinator for SCAN (Serving Children and Adults in Need), said prevention programs use evidence-based curricula and partnerships with school districts to deliver lessons on substance use, mental health and suicide prevention. She described program components as prevention education, information dissemination, alternative activities, identification/referral and environmental strategies such as medication-disposal pouches and National Prescription Drug Take Back participation.
"We do a lot of curriculum," Mary said, summarizing classroom work and assemblies that reach from dozens to hundreds of students. She described working under memoranda of understanding with schools and arranging sessions that vary by schedule.
Mary warned coalition members about a trend in vaping products that may be unfamiliar to parents and educators: higher THC concentrations and counterfeit or knockoff devices. She said some youth reportedly vape melatonin, vitamins and caffeine, and that products sold informally can be "laced" or contain higher-than-expected THC concentrations. Mary said staff have observed products with THC levels they estimate as high as "80 and 90 percent." She advised caution and increased education for families and schools.
The prevention team offered free mental-health training and distributed medication-disposal pouches from partner sources. Mary invited coalition members to monthly Webb County Community Coalition meetings for updates and coordination.
The presentation focused on programs and observed trends rather than laboratory testing data or regulated product-safety results; Mary framed the vaping concern as field observations from outreach in schools and the community.
