Greenville CSD tests prevention counseling amid vaping problem

GREENVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- The Greenville Central School District has implemented a new, more aggressive approach to combat a reported vaping problem in the middle and high schools. The school has welcomed a substance prevention counselor to the district to offer support services to students, two times a week.

In December, Superintendent of Schools Michael Bennett sent a letter to the district outlining new school regulations to address the vaping concern and for parents to speak with their students. One way the district tried to combat the issue was by placing vape sensors in all middle and high school bathrooms.

"When vapor is sensed, an email is sent to the building principals alerting them of the vaping incident. In addition, we have worked to implement more monitoring in hallways and bathrooms during class transition times and implemented an anonymous reporting system for students to submit tips directly to building principals," the letter stated.

According to Bennett, Greenville faculty mostly deal with nicotine vapes throughout the schools that are often shared or passed to other students.

Despite those efforts, the vaping issue continued, according to the district. So, in January, the district began a substance prevention program, District Principal Melissa Macaluso said.

"A substance prevention counselor will be in school twice per week for the next few months to offer support services to students," she said in a letter to the district. "The counselor will be available to provide whole class lessons and individual counseling surrounding responsible decision-making about vaping, drugs, alcohol, and positive life choices. Individual counseling will help students develop coping skills, strengthen communication, learn self-advocacy, and build peer relationships/supports."

Before services can begin, the counselor will require consent from the student or their guardian. Once consent is given, the conversations are protected under HIPAA regulations, but the counselors are mandated reporters and are regulated to report any indication of self-harm or harm to others.

According to the district the student can work with the counselor in three ways: by counselor recommendation, student anonymous counseling or by discipline referral. The school hopes this method can help students limit vaping and help behaviorally.

Currently, the smoking policy at the school prohibits having or using vapes on school grounds or at school functions. If a student is caught with or using a vape, disciplinary measures will be conducted, the district reported.