​Beach Girls Rock (BGR!) is an empowerment series for Virginia Beach City Public Schools female students in grades five through eight. |
Drugs and Vapes
Drugs
Awareness and education are two of the best defenses against substance misuse and overdose. In Virginia, drug overdoses are the leading cause of unnatural death and have been since 2013. More Virginians die every year from overdoses than from automobile crashes. Opioids - specifically fentanyl - has been the driving force behind the large increases. Parents and caregivers are the first line of defense in protecting their child against substance use and overdose. This page provides families with information, resources, and support. Please use the information on this page to start conversations with your children on substance safety and awareness.
Vapes
Many teens think vaping is safer than smoking. Vaping is not just inhaling water vapor. The aerosol is loaded with chemicals not safe to be inhaled including nicotine. A single vape cartridge may contain more nicotine than one pack of cigarettes. Teens can get hooked on nicotine more easily than adults, thus making it harder to quit. Nicotine also harms brain development, comprehension, critical thinking, attention and mood.