Juvenile Court judge talks to county commissioners about the local juvenile vaping issue
Juvenile Court Judge David Herndon addressed the County Commission regarding the rising number of vaping cases among juveniles and requested additional funding.Summary
Juvenile Court Judge David Herndon spoke to the Colquitt County Commission on May 14 about the escalating issue of juvenile vaping and the court's response. He noted that the problem began two and a half years ago following a student incident requiring Narcan administration at Colquitt County High School. Herndon explained that vaping has become a significant portion of the court's docket, accounting for 35% of cases through April of the current year. To address the issue, the court has implemented an innovative interdiction program that requires first-time offenders to complete a ten-page report, an oral presentation, and face court proceedings with law enforcement present. Herndon emphasized the dangers of vaping, including the risk of addiction, lung damage, and accidental overdose or exposure to black market fentanyl. He reported a 22% decrease in vaping devices and a 42% decrease in tobacco use within those devices, attributing the progress to the court's intervention and the school system's educational efforts. Herndon requested an additional $5,000 for the Juvenile Court's budget to offset office overhead.
(Source：Moultrieobserver)
