Smoke Screen: Confronting the Vaping Epidemic in Schools Online

Substance use among young people is changing faster than most school policies and training materials can keep up with. This course gives Arkansas educators, administrators, counselors, school nurses, and school resource officers a current, practical look at the substances and delivery methods showing up in classrooms, hallways, and on buses today. These include high-potency THC vapes and edibles, hemp-derived products like delta-8, nicotine pouches and disposable e-cigarettes, and counterfeit pills that may contain fentanyl.

Participants will learn to recognize products that are often disguised to look like everyday items such as highlighters, snacks, and USB drives. They will also learn the physical and behavioral signs of use and the specific risks each substance poses to developing adolescents. The course places these trends in the context of Arkansas, including state law, relevant school policy considerations, and the resources available to districts and families across urban and rural communities.

The course also moves beyond identification to response. It covers how to approach a student you’re concerned about, when and how to involve parents and support staff, overdose recognition and naloxone basics, and prevention strategies that build trust instead of relying only on punishment.