To share the potential dangers of vaping with the community, the City of Santa Clarita and the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station hosted an informational event, “Head in the Clouds: The Truth About Vaping,” Wednesday for both parents and teens.

The event comes in the wake of reports of the first confirmed vaping death in Los Angeles County.

Although currently legal, vaping products containing nicotine or THC have been a subject of debate for some time, especially in light of how popular the so-called “safe” versions are with teens and young adults.

“Legal does not mean safe,” said Bob Sharits, program director at The Way Out Recovery SCV.

It is legal drugs that actually pose the most danger, especially to teens, according to Sharits, who noted that nicotine, an entirely legal compound, is considered to be one of the most toxic and dangerous drugs that there is worldwide. Alcohol is considered to be second to that.

Sharits pointed out that for the adult smoking population, vaping has succeeded in its intended purpose of offering a less harmful solution to adult addictive smokers; however, this does not preclude the health risk that vaping poses to the teenage population.

He also reminded parents and teens that vaping is in no way benign — it is simply less harmful for the older population of established smokers.avid

It is the pervasiveness of vaping amongst the younger generation that has drawn attention to vaping products in recent months.

Up to 37.3 percent of 12th graders use vape on a regular basis, showing a 10 percent increase from 2017-2018, according to Sharits.

Sharits noted this is especially concerning considering the sheer number of national cases of lung diseases in young people that have cropped up nationwide, many of which are possibly connected to vaping.

On Sept, 6, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a notice discouraging the use of vaping products after six confirmed deaths and 450 possible cases of pulmonary disease linked to the smoking device, with 60 of the reported cases in California.

Related: First Vaping Death In LA County Confirmed By Health Department

Los Angeles County Public Health officials also warned of a recent death due to vaping, where the victim reportedly used a vape containing THC products.

Sharits pointed out that part of the issue with addictive vaping habits includes the way in which vape users don’t have the same limitations, noting that unlike with most tobacco products like cigarettes, there is less of a break between alleviating addictive cravings.

“Pay attention to how they do it. With cigarettes. it would be one cigarette every couple of hours — finish the cigarette and you’re done,” said Sharits. “With vaping products, it’s hit, after hit, after hit, after hit, non-stop… They might stop if it is in a building that doesn’t allow it, but then they’ll be going to the bathroom to vape.”

Intervention Specialist Travis Sabadin of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station stated that one of the best things that parents can do to determine if their children are using a substance, outside of speaking to them, is to simply hug them.

“Give your kid a hug — smell them,” said Sabadin. “They will smell differently… You know what they smell like normally.”

Parents were encouraged to always approach their children with an attitude of love and kindness to facilitate open communication about difficult subjects such as drug use and addiction.

Thank you to everyone who came out to Head in the Clouds: Truth About Vaping yesterday! We had a great discussion about the effects this current issue can have on our youth and ways we can combat it. For more info and resources, visit https://t.co/9vyRDI0N5K. #SantaClarita pic.twitter.com/6jJqUwCxEU

— Santa Clarita City (@santaclarita) September 12, 2019

The resource fair featured a variety of booths providing information on a range of topics, from recovery to community services and community engagement opportunities that could help keep teens away from negative influences.

In addition, Captain Robert Lewis from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station moderated the discussion, with several other deputies available to talk to parents throughout the event.

For additional information about Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station J-Team, email SantaClaritaJTeam@lasd.org.

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