A recent meeting of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee in Sawyer County, Wisconsin, spotlighted alarming trends in youth vaping and substance use, prompting urgent calls for community action. Presenters revealed that a significant number of students, some as young as 5 to 10 years old, are engaging in vaping, with 20% of surveyed youth admitting to trying it at that age.

The discussion highlighted a survey conducted among middle and high school students in Hayward, LCO, and Winter schools, which revealed that 27% of students vape more than 20 times a day. Surprisingly, many students reported that vaping has negatively impacted their health, with breathing difficulties cited as a primary concern. The survey also indicated that 62% of students expressed a desire to quit vaping, underscoring the need for effective cessation resources.

In response to these findings, the committee is pushing for educational materials to be distributed to parents through school email systems. These materials aim to inform families about the dangers of vaping and the misconceptions surrounding it, particularly the false belief that vaping is merely water vapor.

Additionally, the meeting touched on the broader issue of substance use among youth, with officials noting an increase in the use of more dangerous drugs, including fentanyl. The committee is exploring new strategies to provide local support services for youth, aiming to prevent them from returning to harmful environments after receiving treatment.

As the community grapples with these pressing issues, the committee's efforts to raise awareness and provide resources are seen as crucial steps toward addressing the growing crisis of youth vaping and substance abuse in Sawyer County.