San Bernardino Valley College, in collaboration with Mental Health Systems-Central Valley Prevention Program and Community Coalitions for CHANGE, hosted Escape the Vape on Oct. 21, giving young people from the Inland Empire a forum to share their concerns about vaping.  
The event was held in response to Gov. Gavin Newsom signing an executive order tasking the state with spreading awareness to kids and their parents about the risks associated with vaping.

Attendees watched a presentation on the dangers of vaping and discussed how to best educate young people on the matter. Several local students talked about clubs they have started at their schools that aim to combat vaping and their efforts to pick up cigarette butts that litter area parks. An aide to Assemblymember Eloise Reyes also spoke to the crowd on her behalf, thanking the audience for their work educating the community on vaping.

"The event was a huge success," Melinda Moneymaker, chair of the Human Services Department, said. "There were over 150 people at the event — students, families, and community members."

The Human Services Club has participated in more than a dozen community outreach programs this year, with students feeding the homeless, volunteering at resource fairs, and participating in anti-drug Red Ribbon Week activities. Club members were honored during the Prevention Coalition's November meeting for their work on Escape the Vape.