By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Carla Smith with Rise Up Reno Prevention Network said that even though vaping isn't as much in the news as it was in previous years, it's still an issue for kids.
"It did drop a little bit when the kids were not as socially interactive," Smith said. "It is back up again. We're seeing other substances. It's not just nicotine. We're seeing a lot of THC."
Part of the reason vaping is so popular is it is easy to conceal.
"Marijuana is coming in a lot of different forms," Smith said. "It's really easy to put in a vape. Adults can't smell it. It's not just adults, other people can't smell it. A lot of times, it's easy to hide, it's easy to use. It's hard to detect. It's there."
The best way to keep kids from starting substances, Smith has found is giving them other things to be involved with.
"Prevention involves helping kids build up skills, advocacy, to be able to stand up for themselves, so that they know ahead of time what they are going to say and what their morals or character are, how they feel about what they are willing or not willing to do," Smith said. "If their goals are to do well in sports or to be a great business person or just to have good grades in school, then they have a reason. When they have a reason to say no, they are more likely to stick with it."
If you'd like to help out Rise Up Reno, they have a fundraiser concert coming up next month on March 12 at Memorial Hall with The Soul Preachers. Tickets are $25. You can find out more at riseupreno.org.