New weapons detection systems at Columbia Public Schools have ability to detect vape devices
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The new weapons detection systems at Columbia Public Schools will not only be able to identify weapons, but they are also capable of detecting vapes.
The district approved the purchase of Opengate weapons detection systems in April. The district purchased 15 units, which will be located at all three high schools when school is back in session this fall.
The systems were tested at Battle and Hickman High Schools during summer school.
CPS Spokesperson Michelle Baumstark said in an email that while the primary purpose of the systems is to detect weapons, they are also able to detect other prohibited items such as vapes.
She said during the last school year, there were 163 incidents involving tobacco at CPS that resulted in disciplinary action. This includes the use of vapes and other tobacco products.
Youth tobacco use prevention specialist at the Missouri Department of Health Christy Inskip said the state's most recent data from 2021 showed 19% of Missouri high schoolers vaped.
"We have seen the use of other tobacco products--smoking, cigars and other tobacco products--we've seen the use of those decline among our youth, and at the same time we've seen just almost an explosion of use of vape products among our youth in Missouri," Inskip said.
Inskip said dangers of youth vaping include affects to a teen's learning, concentration, mood, impulse control, breathing, athletic ability and can contribute to headaches and seizures. Long-term affects include issues for the heart and lungs.
Vape devices can also come in many shapes and sizes, including toys, a string on a hoodie or a water bottle in a backpack.
"They can look like workable, functioning highlighters, pens that can be hidden inside of highlighters, they can even look like inhalers, which to me is the most concerning," Inskip said.
EIA spokesperson Marilyn Thaxton -- the manufacturing company for Opengate weapons detection systems -- said vape devices can be detected by changing a setting on the devices to detect small pieces of metal while still detecting larger weapons. She said the decision is left up to each district.
However, she said changing that setting can disrupt the flow of students going through the detectors.
"Opengate or a metal detector is set obviously to detect metal threats, however, if you're going to reduce that level to detect the smaller items, it will then have a tendency to alarm on more items," Thaxton said.
She said instead of changing the setting at the main entrances, some schools that use Opengate will move the devices outside of individual classrooms to do random checks for the smaller items.
"The students in that particular classroom go through Opengate and at the same time, the teachers or security staff can be looking through the individuals' purses, backpacks that are in the classroom," Thaxton said. "That has typically been where you have found the vape pens or any other kind of threats or innocuous items that they are looking for."
Thaxton said most districts don't often use the device for vape detection, but the process is rather used as a deterrent.
Inskip said many teenagers who vape are addicted due to the high level of nicotine in the devices, and while vape detectors sometimes work at the beginning, teens usually begin to outsmart them.
She recommends if a student is found with a vape, that the school offers them resources to help quit or make them go through a program as an alternative to suspension.
"My advice to schools if they are using these detectors are to use them as an opportunity for intervention and cessation for the youth, that's the most important thing," Inskip said. "We know the youth are most likely addicted, so let's get them the help that they need."
CPS policy states anyone found with tobacco products on a school campus will be disciplined based on board policies and might be offered a referral to a quitting program.
Resources to help a teen who is addicted to vaping include:
