Has smoking in the bathrooms at Madison High School come to an end? To start the 2023-2024 school year, Madison High School decided to implement vape detectors in the boys and girls bathrooms with the goal of enforcing smoke free policies, and helping to maintain the infrastructure of the bathrooms.
These detectors scan for specific chemicals released when vaping occurs, such as nicotine, propylene glycol, and vegetable glycerin. When particles or chemicals from these vapes are released into the air, sensors detect it and send an alert to the school administration. Administrators can then use the alerts to pinpoint exact times and identify possible rule breakers, keeping the bathrooms safe.
Administration hopes the vape detectors can make the bathrooms a healthier environment and a less frightening experience. Students should be able to use the bathroom without the presence of drugs. In the past, many students would choose not to go to certain bathrooms as they had a negative perception. Students would then avoid these bathrooms, which could lead them to not use the bathroom or miss class time as they need to go to a further bathroom. The presence of vapes made students feel less comfortable throughout school.
Another major problem with the use of these vapes were they were causing plumbing issues, produced a bad smell and destroyed bathrooms. Students disposed of empty cartridges and cells into the toilets, which do not break down as they are made up from plastic and metal. School officials and janitors would have to dig them out of these toilets, which was a long and tedious process. If they were not dug up right away, they would leave a horrible smell that was so bad that it would stop many students from entering some bathrooms. Luke Dambola describes the smell as “repulsive,” and stated that it “made him think twice” before entering many times. This combination led to the closure of almost all bathrooms at the school at certain points last year. The presence of these vapes not only led to discomfort within the students but also destroyed the schools infrastructure.
According to Vice Principal Todd Jenson, the introduction of the new vape detectors in the bathrooms have led to many improvements to student life. It has led to better bathroom experience for students and helps maintain the cleanliness of the school. Many students like Jack McGuire have agreed they are “more likely” to use the bathroom with the implantation of the vape detectors.
