DELTONA, Fla. – With millions of teens vaping across the country, more schools are installing vape detectors to protect America’s youth. Still, The Daily Mail reports that some Florida parents are considering homeschooling their children after authorities found a vape laced with fentanyl at Deltona High School.
According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, a 15-year-old student ran off campus after he was caught vaping in the bathroom. He left behind the vape pen, which authorities say tested positive for THC and fentanyl. The office posted a picture of the paraphernalia on Facebook.
Deputies arrested the student at his house, and he is charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of fentanyl and possession of drug paraphernalia.
This is just one of several recent reports of fentanyl-laced vapes. In fact, Emily’s Hope reported a few months ago that the Florida Retail Federation sent out an alert about black-market vaping products that could be laced with fentanyl.
“It’s a great threat to our youth, and these are products that have not undergone any FDA scrutiny–no testing and no safety mechanism,” Florida Retail Federation CEO told FOX 35.
In response to the escalating concern, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched efforts to combat the illegal e-cigarette market. The FDA recently issued warning letters to 189 retailers found selling unauthorized tobacco products during a nationwide inspection.
Thankfully, the teen at Deltona High School wasn’t injured, but some other students haven’t been that lucky. Zach Corona’s mother, Lynda Amos, has told several news outlets that her 13-year-old son suffered a stroke and has permanent brain damage after smoking a fentanyl-laced vape. WALB News spoke with a 12-year-old who was hospitalized from a fentanyl-laced vape, and KIMA TV recently reported on two teenagers who overdosed from a vape pen laced with fentanyl in Washington.