HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0593.009 2022-2024 caw. 5619)
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From: Ronda Barker 4.4.1Qn
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Sent: Monday, December 04, 2023 8:44 PM �.
To: Council Testimony a —C
Subject: Bill 102
Aloha, uL,, •
My name is Ronda Barker and I am a public school teacher at Kealakehe intermediate school and mother of 3
teenagers/young adults I am writing to give written testimony in support of Bill 102, ending the sale of flavored tobacco
products in Hawaii county.
Vaping has become an epidemic with our Kona youth and I am more convinced than ever that it is a gateway drug that
leads to marijuana use and more.
I was a school counselor at Kealakehe El for years and witnessed children as young as 3rd and 4th grade bringing vaping
devices to school. By the time Students are in 7th and 8th grades they are fully addicted to vaping,to the point that they
cannot make it through the school day.
Sadly, I've witnessed too many kids start with vaping and then get addicted to marijuana by the time they are 15-16
years old. More and more I'm finding out about High School students now getting into Cocaine and Ice.These are good
kids with good parents!
Our Kona Town is limited when it comes to resources. We have a lack of mental health support for young people, and
we do not have treatment centers readily available.
We must do something now and ending the sale of flavored tobacco is the first step.
Mahalo,
Ronda Barker
808-895-0598
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