Colonie Central High School awarded thousands to combat vaping
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ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Colonie Central High School has received a grant to fight substance abuse among students. The Albany County Legislature awarded the school $8,750 for substance use and tobacco prevention education.
The high school plans to bolster its educational programming with this money by hosting speaker-led assemblies and informational sessions. These events will focus on how vaping, tobacco, and substance use is dangerous while providing positive coping methods for mental wellness. The assemblies aim to give students knowledge on healthy decision making and strengthen their support systems within the school.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1.63 million middle and high school students in the United States used e-cigarettes in 2024. The CDC said that among students who use e-cigarettes, over 60% of them wanted to quit in 2020.
“We are incredibly grateful to receive this funding from Albany County,” said CCHS Associate Principal Melissa Judge. “Our students deserve every opportunity to learn in a safe and healthy environment. This grant allows us to expand our prevention efforts in meaningful ways, and engage our school community in critical conversations about wellness.”