The Vape Search System: Is it Effective?

Vaping has been, and continues to be, a persistent issue in schools across the country. Grandview has openly acknowledged and addressed this problem. In order to reduce vaping on campus, the school installed vape detectors in all student-use bathrooms within the last two years. Additionally, administrators have taken a more proactive approach this year, increasing physical searches. However, controversy surrounding these searches have arisen due to their supposed lack of timeliness and violation of privacy- and even their effectiveness at all. 

“I think it’s kind of unnecessary… [vape searches] take up like 20 to 30 minutes of class. So no, [they are] not at all [efficient]” Peyton Sadr (11) said.

When the vape detector goes off, everyone inside the bathroom is required to be seen by a security guard or dean. Each student is thoroughly searched one by one. The more students being searched the more time it takes.

“They can take a long time. I feel like it should be a little quicker and just get straight to the point,” Imron Quraishi (11) said.

A vape search involves a multitude of aspects. A student’s backpack, clothing, shoes, and even notebooks are checked. 

“I say they do a quick search and then you just get on with it. They don’t have to do any extra stuff like getting your bag, calling your parents, doing all this and that,” Omar Zuraiqi (11) said.

The time is usually taken out of class-time. 20 minutes away from class, especially in honors or AP classes, can be detrimental. Grandview staff, however, has a different perspective on the matter. 

“We try to search as efficiently and effectively as we can to try to get students back to class,” Trevor Watrous, Assistant Principal, said. “Our objective is not to catch, necessarily every student, but to make sure that you canuse restrooms for what they’re intended for.”

Watrous is one of many administrators who believes this. 

“When we have a large group of students, it’s kind of all hands on deck,” Mrs. Koch said. “We’ll get a radio call [about vape detection] and many administrators or deans will respond. We just try to get kids through as quickly as possible.”

Issues go beyond timeliness. Some students see vape searches as an invasion of privacy with no real impact. 

“Sometimes [vape searched] can make you feel uncomfortable.” Zuraiqi (11) said. “[The system is] kind of pointless. When you catch somebody with a vape, by the next day, I would not be surprised if they have a new one.” 

No laws are being violated. According to district policy, the searches are not violating the privacy of students. 

“If you look at case law, most attorneys and judges will always side with this first school safety,” Julie Machakos, Dean, said. “We’re not going to just go up to any random individual and say, ‘We’re going to search you.’ That’s not what we’re aiming to do.” 

Machakos highlights that many schools she has worked at employ more invasive search methods. For example, Douglas County uses wands, and Boston schools also implement more thorough procedures.

“I’ve been asked by a couple of students if they think there are any alternatives. They haven’t really been any definitive, you know, because it is kind of a complicated thing,” Watrous said. “The gist of it so far is that they just want it to be faster.”

When students were asked if they could suggest any alternatives to the current system, the majority struggled to offer immediate solutions. In the absence of a clear, viable alternative, it appears that the vape search system will remain in place for the foreseeable future.

“In the direction of safety and security, I don’t see it changing anytime soon, but again, I could be wrong.” Machakos said. 

Waterous believes that vaping, overall, has decreased since the implementation of the vape detectors. While he doesn’t have hard evidence, the number of alerts has supposedly declined.

“I think we’re a system built on feedback. So if students have better ideas, how we can handle this, [we are] happy to hear it,” Dr. Roberts said.

The message Grandview staff wants to push, despite controversy around vape searches, is one of safety and responsibility. 

“Don’t vape. Don’t vape at school. And then again, if you head to a restroom that’s already full of students, go to a different one,” Watrous said.