Nearly 20% of high school students have been offered, sold or given drugs, on school property, in the past year.
Resulting in Hancock County Schools making big changes in the system to help the health of the students and staff. The use and possession of hemp-based products in the school by students presents a clear danger to the health of the all students.
HCS Board of Education passed a new THC policy on Tuesday, November 26. For years schools have struggled with the issue of THC use among the students. The new policy focuses on items such as vapes, vape pens, carts, cart pens, Penjamin cart pens and anything that is used to store or deliver hemp-based products.
This policy was set into place to not only better the education and health of student but to also emphasize the risk and consequences of bringing THC products on school campus.
The new policy implies that no student or individual under the age of 21 Is to have possession of hemp-derived products. The policy is mainly focusing on schools. The goal they are reaching to achieve is to restricts these hemp-based items on school property, school buses, and even at all school-sponsored events, with the intent to protect students, staff, and the overall learning environment
“It presents a clear and present danger to their health, welfare and safety,” Superintendent, Dan Enich stated in an interview with the East Liverpool Review.
The new policy comes with consequences WTOV 9 stated “individuals under the age of 21 who possess hemp-derived cannabinoid products are guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment, or both.”
Also, Weir’s PRO, Stevie Jo Banannio states, “The administration will speak with your parent or guardian. You, as well as your parent or guardian will then be advised of a 10 day, out of school suspension, as well as a possible expulsion for up to one school year, at which time you will have a hearing, (with the board of education) to determine if you will be expelled or not, if you wish to do so, at which time you can fight the expulsion.”
Overall, HCS Board of Education, administrators, staff and community hope that taking action on this issue in schools will help a major problem in the younger generation and change things for the better.
