Prevention News
Takin' It to The Schools 2019-2020
November 2019, VOL. 1 ISSUE #3
Great American Smokeout
Did you know there are over 7,000 chemicals in a cigarette? This is a fact commonly known, but even the experts aren't as knowledgeable about e-cigarettes and vaping devices. While it took over 20 years for scientists to understand traditional cigarette smoking, they haven't had as long to study vaping devices, which have only been popular in the U.S. for just over a decade. Despite this timeline, there are facts we do know about vaping deceives.
We know that vaping devices and traditional cigarettes have one thing in common: nicotine. Nicotine is very addictive and negatively affects the brain development of teenagers and adolescents. When nicotine is introduced to a developing brain, it is much more likely to cause addiction and long-term dependency. We also know that vaping devices expose people and animals to not only second-hand smoke, but also third hand-smoke containing harmful chemicals. Many teens even feel that vaping is safer than smoking, due in part to the common misconception that e-liquids produce water vapor. Vape "smoke" is actually an aerosol, not a water vapor. Regardless, a record number of teens and adolescents continue to use vaping devices.
From 2017- 2018, current e-cigarette use increased by 78% in high school students and 48% in middle school students, according to the 2018 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS). The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 1,888 cases of vaping-associated lung injury in 49 states and 37 deaths confirmed in 24 states (as of October 29th, 2019).
During this month of The Great American Smokeout, let's encourage people to quite smoking both traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes/vaping devices. If you know a student or adult that needs help quitting, please have them call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or contact our local Tuscarawas County Health Department at (330) 343-5555.
Takin' It to the Schools
Takin' It to the Schools is off and running for the school year! We currently have 548 fourth graders, 667 fifth graders and 214 sixth graders in our program in Tuscarawas and Carroll County school districts. Our fourth graders will be having their graduation/pizza party soon, then additional classrooms will start.For the month of October our fifth graders made the pledge to wear red ribbons and live a drug free lifestyle.They also discussed decision making and the influences around us that affect our decision making.The students discussed the fact that many times it takes only one person to make a difference in their school, family and community. Each one of us has the power to help one another grow up safe, healthy and drug free. Get involved in Red Ribbon Week.
Youth-Led Prevention
October 23-31st is National Red Ribbon Week, the oldest and largest drug awareness campaign in the United States. All across the County, our YLP groups were active in celebrating area teens who choose to be drug-free.
Red Ribbon Week Proclamation
Each year, we kick off Red Ribbon at our County Commissioner's office, where we request a proclamation to be made for Red Ribbon Week. Students shared the story of Red Ribbon, presented their proclamation request, and expressed their passion for living a drug-free lifestyle. In response, Commissioners Chris Abbuhl, Al Landis, and Joe Sciarretti accepted their request and proclaimed October 23-31st as Red Ribbon Week in Tuscarawas County. A motion was also passed to light the Tuscarawas County Courthouse in red for the duration of Red Ribbon Week. Following the meeting, students were interviewed by WJER and WTUZ.
Dover Halloween Parade
Tuscarawas County Youth to Youth members from Dover, Claymont, and Strasburg high schools walked with a Red Ribbon-themed float on the evening of Wednesday, October 30th, proudly wearing their "Live Red" t-shirts. Students enjoyed passing out candy and drug-free pledges with the Anti-Drug coalition of Tuscarawas County.
Youth to Youth Clubs
Our Youth-Led Prevention program has active Youth to Youth clubs in Claymont, Dover, Newcomerstown, Strasbug, Tusky Valley, and Tuscarawas Central Catholic high schools. Several of these groups spent the month of October celebrating Red Ribbon Week.
Among their efforts included door decorating, showcase decorating, a bake sale, a balloonagram initiative, a spirit week, a corn-hole tournament, and more.
Looking Forward
During the month of November, our school groups begin planning for Christmas initiatives as well as National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week, taking place in January.
Tuscarawas County Youth to Youth Proclamation
the Red Ribbon Story to County Commissioners, and the Commissioners approved their request to proclaim October 23-31st Red Ribbon Week in Tuscarawas County
Strasburg's Red Ribbon Week
ABOUT US
Tuscarawas County Youth to Youth is a youth-led prevention (YLP) program serving high schools throughout Tuscarawas County. YLP is a comprehensive, research-based approach to preventing youth substance use. In this model, youth are given an active role in the entire prevention process, from planning and decision-making to implementing and evaluating. The goal of YLP is youth empowerment, a system of prevention that is youth led and adult guided.
Website: www.ohioguidestone.org
Location: 1433 5th Street Northwest, New Philadelphia, OH, USA
Phone: 330-440-7320