The use of vapes and controlled substances have been increasing in schools, according to high school administration. One way that Milton is fighting the issue is through the use of vape detectors. Detectors were installed in two high school bathrooms last spring, with four more being added in February.
During the 2022-23 school year, 11 high school students were caught possessing a controlled substance, and 30 students were caught with vapes, according to Co-principal Mr. Michael Bergey. As of April, 10 students have been caught with possession of a controlled substance and 19 students were caught with nicotine vapes during this school year, he added.
“During the first four to five days [after the detectors were installed], there was a big increase in the number of students caught,” said Mr. Bergey. According to Mr. Bergey, the number of students getting caught has dropped since then. “Students are either finding new places or ways to get around the detectors,” he added.
When a student has a vape, the first consequence is one day of out-of-school suspension (OSS), said Mr. Bergey. The second offense includes two days of OSS and a required meeting with the school nurse. He added the nurse discusses the dangers of vaping and may have the student complete a class on the harmful consequences of their choices.
When a student gets caught with a controlled substance on school property, like smoking marijuana concentrates with a Dab Pen, “the student will get a lengthy suspension and meet with the superintendent,” said Mr. Bergey. He added that being in possession of a controlled substance on school property is against the school rules, the school board policy and the law.
School Resource Officer (SRO) Mark Evans explained that simply possessing a Dab Pen can result in misdemeanor charges.
If a student is caught sharing the dab pen, it’s considered distribution, which can lead to a felony charge, said Officer Evans. “Sharing is distribution, which is a significantly bigger issue then just possession,” he added.
According to Officer Evans, Milton High School students have faced legal charges due to illegal devices. If it is strictly a nicotine vape and it’s a second offense, the school district will file charges with the magistrate, he said. If the device contains a controlled substance, it goes straight to the SROs, and they file the charges, added Officer Evans.
Mr. Bergey said that in order for the school to search a student, administrators only need reasonable suspicion. If the School Resource Officers search students, they need probable cause, he added.
“The main difference between reasonable suspicion and probable cause is that probable cause relies on objective circumstances and evidence, whereas reasonable suspicion is closer to an inclination rather than evidence,” said Officer Evans.
Officer Evans described the rapid two-step process for testing confiscated devices for THC; after an officer has gloves on, they take a swab saturated in a solvent and rub it around the mouthpiece of the device. Then they rub the swab on a tester strip. If the strip remains brown, it is negative for THC. If the strip turns red, then the device tested positive for THC. 
According to Officer Evans when students get searched, the SROs take precautions like wearing gloves and sometimes face masks to protect themselves from anything that could possibly be laced in the confiscated devices, such as harder drugs.
Though the state’s medical marijuana program may allow students to legally use cannabis, it is still not allowed on school property, according to Officer Evans.
“From the school standpoint, [students] can’t have it in school,” added Officer Evans. “Any medication has to be administered by the nurse. By law nurses cannot administer [medical marijuana]; it is still illegal under federal law,” said Officer Evans.
