Special to the Chronicle

Students and administration from Lexington 1 and Lexington 2 school districts continue to work toward reducing vaping among their students.

Prevention coalitions invited 16-year-old Luka Kinard from High Point North Carolina to spend 3 days in Lexington talking to students about how quickly he became addicted to vaping products including Juul.

“It’s much more relevant to hear about the health consequences of vaping from someone our age” said Adam Killman, a senior at Lexington High School who attended the county’s Youth Leadership Summit.

About 160 middle and high school students from both school districts participated in the 2-day training to learn about the dangers of alcohol and other drug use.

The event is held annually with adult advisors and allows students time to learn and plan prevention activities for their individual schools.

“We were fortunate to have the Kinards participate in a Family Summit to allow parents and other community leaders understand the real dangers of vaping” said Heather Johnson, a Lexington 1 social worker who helped to organize the event.

In addition to the youth and parent events, Luka spoke to students in 5 additional schools during that time period. “He has a very important message, says Johnson, who also works at LRADAC and the coalitions.

“We know that our youth really connect with him and we appreciate he and his mother traveling here to share their story.”

LRADAC, Lexington 1 Community Coalition, and Rise Above It Coalition sponsored the event.