OPINION: Letter to the editor: Thanks to those who warn of vaping

Kudos to Bill Choy and the Mount Shasta Herald for writing and printing the excellent piece, “Etna students warn of vaping risk on Highway 97 billboards.” 

A special tribute also to Della McQuoid and Savanah Miller for their excellent graphics work, and for Etna High School and faculty member Lynn Karpinski.

As a specialist in addiction science, academia, and treatment for over 40 years, the evidence for prevention of substance use problems points to interventions at the community level led by peers. The support of Siskiyou County Behavioral Health Services in designing the two anti-vaping billboards by these high school seniors, and the support of the county in displaying the boards for at least one year, is a perfect example of the community coming together to address this major problem among youth.

Thank you!

— Christine Vourakis, Mount Shasta; Professor Emeritus, California State University, Sacramento and Editor Emeritus, Journal of Addictions Nursing