PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla.-- Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg is hosting a town hall meeting at Wellington Community High School Thursday night to address vaping in schools.
The vape devices being found on school campuses vary in size, shape, and color, but Palm Beach County School Police say more than 65 percent of the cases involve THC oil, liquid marijuana.
"Most people probably think it's legal and the second thing is they think they're going to get away with it because everyone else is doing it," said Palm Beach County School District Police Chief Frank Kitzerow.
Chief Kitzerow explains that school police officers can detect the odor of marijuana even if it's coming from a vape pen. Officers are also working with principals when they suspect it's happening at their campus.
Sergeant Matt Baxter says officers are testing any liquid found in any vape device, even if it's labeled CBD oil. "They conduct searches when there's reasonable suspicious and that's how we make most of our arrests."
Chief Kitzerow says the devices can be disguised as pens, highlighters, and USB sticks. He wants parents to know even if their child does not possess one, they can still be charged if they're caught using it.
"Some of the students have these vaping devices, but they're also selling hits to other students who don't have the device and don't carry the device, but they're taking hits from the people that do. Look, if you get caught doing that you're going to get charged," added Chief Kitzerow.
The town hall meeting at Wellington Community High School is from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.