EDUCATION
APS installs vape detectors in all high schools
District installs 97 vape detectors funded by $500,000 in opioid settlement money
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Albuquerque Public Schools has marked the start of a new school year by installing vape detectors in the bathrooms of its 13 high schools to deter teenagers from puffing watermelon ice-flavored smoke during class time.
The devices work like smoke detectors by monitoring the air for vape smoke, then sending an alert to the district鈥檚 administrative office, said Deputy Superintendent Antonio Gonzales.
Gonzales said the vape detectors have been installed in APS bathrooms 鈥渢o ensure safe spaces, so that when a kid needs to visit the restroom, they are able to do so safely and without any concern or worry.鈥�
The 97 detectors were paid for using $500,000 from the district鈥檚 opioid settlement fund, money awarded to state and local governments from a lawsuit to fund drug treatment and prevention programs.
Just over 7.1% of high school students in the 近距离内射合集 States 鈥� 1.13 million teenagers 鈥� and 2.6% of middle school students, or 300,000 kids, reported using e-cigarettes in 2025, according to the . More than one in four youth who used an e-cigarette reported using it every day.
Though high school administrators have 鈥渆xpressed much more of a trend鈥� in regards to vaping, the district plans to install the detectors in middle schools next as a preventive measure, Gonzales said.
鈥淚f we鈥檙e going to ensure that we鈥檙e creating habits and mindsets for success in the world our students will walk into, that begins early,鈥� he said.
Natalie Robbins covers education for the Journal. You can reach her at nrobbins@abqjournal.com.
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