NORTHEAST FLORIDA \u2013 Hundreds of vaping-related incidents were reported across North Florida\u2019s three largest school counties during the 2024\u201325 school year, according to data from the Florida Department of Education\u2019s School Environmental Safety Incident Reporting system.<\/p>\n
The I-TEAM analyzed the data county by county, breaking down which schools logged the highest numbers \u2014 and what health experts say is at stake for the students involved.<\/p>\n
Duval County<\/p>\n
Three Duval County high schools led the region in reported vaping incidents:<\/p>\n
Mandarin High School \u2014 112 incidents<\/p>\n
Ed White High School \u2014 106 incidents<\/p>\n
Terry Parker High School \u2014 84 incidents<\/p>\n
St. Johns County<\/p>\n
St. Johns County schools also reported significant numbers:<\/p>\n
Pedro Menendez High School \u2014 108 incidents<\/p>\n
Tocoi Creek High School \u2014 74 incidents<\/p>\n
St. Augustine High School \u2014 63 incidents<\/p>\n
Clay County<\/p>\n
In Clay County, three schools rounded out the regional picture:<\/p>\n
Middleburg High School \u2014 65 incidents<\/p>\n
Clay High School \u2014 46 incidents<\/p>\n
Keystone Heights Junior-Senior High School \u2014 35 incidents<\/p>\n
The numbers represent reported incidents \u2014 not necessarily the number of individual students involved.<\/p>\n
What doctors say about vaping and young people<\/p>\n
Dr. Steven Goldberg, chief medical officer at HealthTrack, a nationwide overnight diagnostic laboratory, says the health risks tied to vaping are serious \u2014 and lasting.<\/p>\n
Goldberg says vapes contain nicotine, solvents, flavorings, irritants, metals, and other toxic byproducts.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey can cause elevated heart rate, elevated blood pressure. They can lower your thinking capability, disrupt your memory, your concentration,\u201d Goldberg said. \u201cThose are all bad for adolescents and children going to school.\u201d<\/p>\n
He says he regularly urges young people to consider the long-term consequences of the choices they make as teenagers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remind young people that they\u2019re making choices for the 30-year-old, the 40-year-old and the 50-year-old,\u201d Goldberg said. \u201cAnd you don\u2019t want to make choices that are irreversible and bad for that older self. So you really want to think twice about using e-cigarettes.\u201d<\/p>\n
How schools handle vaping incidents<\/p>\n
How a vaping incident is handled can depend on what\u2019s inside the device. <\/p>\n
Clay County Schools, for example, draws a clear distinction: if marijuana or another drug is found inside a vape, the student can face higher disciplinary action and potential law enforcement involvement.<\/p>\n
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