2021 COMBAT Funding: $150,000.00

In The Jackson County Sheriff's Own Words

It is the mission of the Jackson County Sheriff's Office - Junior Deputy Academy to teach 7th and 8th graders the dangers that they may face in response to the current vaping epidemic, the most serious adolescent public-health crisis our country has faced in the last decade.  

Our goal is to slow down and eventually stop the teen vaping epidemic and to prevent young children from starting to use flavored e-cigarettes including such products as JUUL, Blu, and other style Vape pens.

• Increase student awareness of vaping and the effects it has on the body
  
  
• Learn that second hand smoke can be just as harmful to the body as the actual act of vaping
  
  
• Understand the correlation between vaping usage and cancer
  
  
• Recognize that e-cigarettes (vaping) has not been proven to be any safer than smoking regular tobacco products
  
  
• Increase awareness that nicotine in any form is a highly-addictive drug
  
  
• Understand that e-cigarette products ore operated by a battery and contain a heating element and that there is a likelihood that is can explode and cause serious injuries or death
  
  
• Understand that e-cigarette products are unregulated by the FDA (Food ad Drug Administration) and contain added chemicals that could have long term health effects

Health Consequences

This program will also address the need to educate young students that vaping can cause the following health issues: 

• respiratory problems
• gastrointestinal conditions
• heart problems
• nicotine poisoning
• injuries due to battery explosions
• exacerbate pre-existing health conditions.  

Furthermore, vaping can cause gum disease, bad teeth, weakened immune system and can negatively impact the child/teen by altering brain development, mood, behavior attention, and learning.

Other issues to be address:

• Educate the students that self control and avoiding peer pressure, is the most important part in not using nicotine products
  
  
• Understand that peer pressure can also be a good thing by having friends, teachers, and parents help you in avoiding getting involved with nicotine products
  
  
• Know that schools have policies pertaining to the use of nicotine products on school grounds, at school activities, and other school related functions
  
  
• Understand the there are consequences associated with being caught using nicotine products during school hours ar at any school related functions (on or off school grounds)