MOAB, Utah, Oct. 3, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — Grand County School District is warning parents that it has seen more than one incident of vaping devices testing positive for methamphetamine recently.
“The school district has seen an increased use of vaping among students,” said a news release from the district. “At this time, it is unclear as to how the methamphetamine was acquired or who was responsible for the vaping devices containing the drugs.”
Grand County schools, in conjunction with local law enforcement, are working to address the issues “not only in the schools but in the community,” the news release said. “We would like students, parents and community members to be aware of the risks of vaping and that devices and/or vape juice can contain any number of substances. In addition to containing nicotine, devices can contain substances including but not limited to THC, methamphetamine and fentanyl.
“Of significant concern, vape users may not be aware of what substances they are inhaling, what their reaction could be, or the dangerous and addictive effects,” the news release said. “Vaping is not harmless and can result in addiction and adverse medical consequences. Vaping creates second-hand exhalents and bystanders can breathe in chemicals when in the presence of someone vaping.”
Parents are being urged to speak to their children about the “significant dangers or vaping and help us educate our students and our community,” the news release said.
The Utah Department of Health announced Wednesday it has implemented a new, emergency administrative rule aimed at reducing the number of vaping-related lung injury cases.
“The rule requires all tobacco retailers that sell e-cigarette products to post notices regarding the dangers of vaping unregulated THC products, and also restricts the sale of flavored e-cigarette products to retail tobacco specialty businesses,” said a news release from the health department’s Tobacco Prevention and Control Program.
Utah has been hit especially hard in the national outbreak of lung injury cases, with 71 cases of vaping-related lung injuries being reported as of this week, and another 10 potential cases are under review, officials said. Forty-five of these individuals had to be hospitalized, and 26 of them spent time in the intensive care unit.
Retailers will have until Oct. 7 to comply with the emergency rule, which will remain in place for 120 days. State health officials said Thursday enforcement of that rule will be delayed until Oct. 21.
The UDOH will work to implement a permanent rule while the emergency rule is in place.
For more information on the vaping-related lung injury outbreak in Utah click here.
