On Monday night at Grovetown Middle School, parents and community leaders gathered to confront some of the most pressing issues students are facing today. The focused issues of the talk were gangs, vaping, and bullying.
The forum, part of Columbia County’s “Let’s Talk” series, brought together school officials, law enforcement, and juvenile court leaders to share guidance and answer parent concerns.
Warning signs and gang activity
Sgt. Lee Peck, who is the district training officer for Columbia County, outlined the presence of gangs among youth. While gang involvement has declined nationally since 2009, he warned parents to stay alert.
“Only 9% of students report seeing gang presence,” Peck said. “That’s down from 20%, but it’s still too many.”
He urged parents to watch for sudden changes in friend groups, secretive behavior or clothing tied to gang colors. Emojis, graffiti, and slang can also serve as warning signs.
“The biggest thing you can do is stay engaged,” Peck told parents. “You have a right to know who your kids are with and what they’re doing.”
READ MORE: NAMI Walks Augusta 2025 kicks off in Grovetown, this weekend
Vaping and drug concerns
The conversation then turned to vaping, THC, and drug-laced products. Peck noted that while e-cigarette use among teens has dropped in recent years, the risks remain serious.
“These aren’t harmless water vapors,” he said. “We’ve seen chemicals in these products that cause irreparable damage to the lungs.”
Officials also raised alarms about THC vapes, which can contain concentrations nearly four times higher than marijuana.
Edible products disguised as candies and snacks are another concern.
“If it looks out of place, trust your nose and eyes,” Peck advised parents. “You have every right to search your child’s spaces.”
READ MORE: Downtown business owners press PR firm on Broad Street overhaul
Bullying
The panel at Grovetown Middle then turned its focus to bullying.
“Students are reporting that they are being bullied several times per week,” said Sgt. Peck. “One out of every 5, or 19.2%, of students report being bullied, according to the National Institute of Education Sciences.”
Peck also added, “Of the 19.2%, 26.1% middle school, 14.6% high school, and across the United States 44.2% of those students reported they notified a trusting adult about bullying. That’s a big thing.”
Peck would go on to remind the parents of their vital role and the importance of them trusting their children when they are reporting such incidents.
One concerned parent asked a question about what happens when bullying complaints aren’t taken seriously. The district leaders replied with the importance of documenting incidents and following up directly with administrators.
Della Hughes, who is the director of student support for Columbia County, replied to the question, saying, “If you feel the school hasn’t responded, call back and ask to speak with the administrator over that program. Parents have every right to know what is being done.”
Parents’ role
All panelists emphasized that parents are critical partners in prevention — from setting clear expectations at home to staying aware of children’s online activity, especially monitoring what they are saying online.
The district will continue its “Let’s Talk” series, with the next session scheduled for Nov. 17 at Evans Middle School.
