MCPS's $2 million investment in vape detectors

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is stepping up efforts to address student vaping by investing $2 million in vape detectors for high school bathrooms. The funding, secured through a settlement with e-cigarette manufacturer Juul, aims to deter students from vaping and curb substance-related incidents in schools. However, the plan has sparked concerns about its effectiveness in addressing the root causes of student vaping.

Challenges with the pilot program

The decision to install vape detectors follows a pilot program launched last school year across six MCPS high schools: Richard Montgomery, Kennedy, Northwood, Paint Branch, Quince Orchard, and Walt Whitman. The trial phase uncovered challenges, such as frequent false alarms triggered by substances like perfumes, and high staffing demands to respond to the alerts. “In some cases, the detectors were set off by substances like perfumes that diverted security personnel from their duties elsewhere in the school,” Marcus Jones, Chief of Security and Compliance for MCPS, describes. These challenges raised questions about whether a county-wide expansion of the program would yield the desired results.

Sophomore Valerie Jelen voices a similar concern about the vape detectors. “I'm worried that the alarms are gonna be disruptive if you're in the bathroom, and then you might just be stuck if someone else in the bathroom was vaping at the same time you were there,” she says. 

Since the initial pilot programs, several improvements have been made. “One of the things we realized during the pilot was that some sensors had audible alarms, which sometimes disrupted classroom activities due to false alarms. We’re now opting for a silent alarm feature, which alerts staff without interrupting classes,” Jones says. Additionally, the team addressed false alarms caused by substances like perfume during testing. “The false alarms have been corrected for, and those [false alarms] were actually part of the review process with the three vape detectors from different vendors tested during the pilot program,” Jones explains. 

During the 2022-2023 school year, MCPS reported 424 substance-related incidents, highlighting the need for effective strategies to reduce vaping. However, the question remains: will technology solve the problem, or are deeper interventions necessary?

Vape detector rollout timeline

The Office of Safety and Security, led by Jones, is responsible for implementing the vape detection program across MCPS. With funding recently approved by the Montgomery County Board of Education, Jones’s office is finalizing program guidelines and selecting a vendor. “The money was allocated just a couple of weeks ago… we’re hoping to begin installation by early December,” Jones shares, with the goal of having detectors in place across all MCPS high schools before the end of the school year.

Junior Elora Derbyshire is optimistic about the new plan and hopes it will make school bathrooms a safer space for students. “I know a lot of people who feel really uncomfortable going to the bathroom at school because there are always people vaping in the stalls,” she explains. “I hope that the detectors will help to fix that.” 

The program aims not only to detect incidents but also to serve as a preventative measure. “We’re hoping that the presence of detectors will act as a deterrent,” Jones says, adding that similar systems “have led to a decrease in vaping incidents in many other school districts.” 

However, the program is not solely about surveillance; MCPS is also committed to providing additional counseling and educational support. “It requires more than just the surveillance piece… we’re also looking to provide wraparound resources, like counseling, for students who may need support with substance issues,” Jones explains. These resources aim to address the underlying factors that contribute to vaping. 

In the coming months, staff are expected to receive training regarding the introduction of vape detectors. “Teachers and staff will get instructions from my department [Office of Safety and Security] on how to use the detectors,” Jones states. While his team handles the technical aspects, disciplinary protocols will remain under the Office of Wellbeing and School Support. To ensure effectiveness, the program will include a “constant review” process, tracking each alert and adjusting detector sensitivity as needed.

How the vaping issue is addressed at Blair

At Blair, Assistant Principal Tracy Pettis-Jones and the administrative team have noticed a decrease in vaping incidents in the 2024-2025 school year, an outcome they attribute to their proactive approach to addressing the issue. “At Blair, we’ve actually seen a decrease in vaping incidents this year compared to previous years,” Pettis-Jones says.

Blair’s approach starts by involving parents directly. “The first line of intervention is communicating with the family,” Pettis-Jones explains. “Parents need to know if their child has access to vapes, as it often starts outside school grounds.” Once parents are informed, they are encouraged to discuss the matter at home, helping students understand the risks and hopefully reducing access to vaping devices.

In addition to involving families, Blair has established a “see something, say something” policy that allows students to anonymously report any vaping activity they observe. While helpful in identifying incidents, enforcement remains difficult due to the sheer size of the school. “It’s hard for us to cover the whole building, especially during busy times like lunch,” Pettis-Jones says.

When students are caught vaping, Blair administrators act quickly to confiscate the devices and notify the parents. The devices are then turned over to law enforcement. “We give [vaping] devices to the police because we don’t know what’s in them. These are minors, and they shouldn’t have it in their possession at all,” Pettis-Jones states.

Blair’s wellness team provides access to counseling resources for students who may need additional support, including guidance from social workers and therapists for those struggling with substance use or other personal challenges. Students are encouraged to self-refer by reaching out to their counselor if they recognize a problem or feel the need for help. “Real change occurs when students recognize they need help and actively seek it,” Pettis-Jones says. 

Balancing surveillance and support

With vape detectors set to be installed in the coming months, the need for additional student support services is under discussion. “Students vape for reasons beyond just curiosity,” Pettis Jones explains. “Providing counseling and mental health resources can address the underlying causes, and that’s where funding could be more impactful than just relying on detectors.” The Office of Safety and Security has assured the community that additional counseling resources will be available, though it remains unclear whether these will meet the needs of Blair’s large student body.

While Derbyshire acknowledges that vaping is unlikely to disappear entirely, she believes this initiative is a step in the right direction. “I think that regardless of counseling resources and regardless of vape detectors, people are still going to vape, but I think the best that MCPS can do is stop people from vaping at school,” she comments. 

Sophomore Naomi Yohannes is optimistic about the new plan to curb vaping but has some concerns. “I would appreciate the added security in our bathrooms,” Yohannes says, hoping the vape detectors would reduce the lingering odor from vapes. However, she acknowledges potential drawbacks, noting that students may find ways to circumvent the surveillance. “People could start being more secretive [with vaping] and find all different ways to get around the detectors and different ways to break the system,” she says. 

Derbyshire shares a similar perspective and anticipates that administrators will face challenges. “People will still be able to find ways around the vape detectors, and admin may have problems with people vandalizing them,” she mentions.

Administrators are considering expanding the wellness team with additional social workers and counselors to provide crucial student support. “Let’s get more resources to help students because [students] are vaping because [they are] trying to self-fulfill something,” Pettis-Jones says. 

Pettis-Jones’s viewpoint is echoed by many, including Jelen. “If you're trying to prevent something, you have to go to the root of the problem and understand why people are vaping, rather than just telling them ‘don't do that,’” Jelen explains. 

Moving forward

MCPS’s $2 million investment signals a firm stance on student vaping. Schools like Blair are preparing to integrate the detectors into security protocols in hopes of fostering a safer, healthier environment. Administrators agree on the need for a comprehensive approach to address the root causes of vaping. “If the goal is truly to create a healthier environment, then we need to consider interventions that address why students vape—not just that they vape,” Pettis-Jones states.

As the detectors roll out across the county, students, parents, and administrators alike will be watching closely to see if this new technology can deliver on its promise to curb student vaping.