Andover School Officials Seeing 'Alarming' Number Of Vape Pens

ANDOVER, MA — Officials at Andover High School have been confiscating an "alarming number" of electronic cigarettes since the start of the school year earlier this month. In a letter to parents Wednesday, Principal Philip Conrad reminded parents that the devices are considered drug paraphernalia and are banned at public schools. The principal's letter came a day after Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker declared a public health emergency and banned the sale of electronic cigarettes for four months.

"Most students who are using these devices are doing so in the bathrooms which is creating an unhealthy situation for other students," Conrad wrote. "Students found with these devices will have them confiscated and discipline will fall under the Drug Paraphernalia policy of our Student Handbook."

Conrad noted that other school are seeing increased use of the devices, which can be used to ingest nicotine or THC, the active chemical in cannabis.