Drug Education/Smoking

Drug education and smoking prevention continues to be a big focus during all sessions. MACH Charge Team members shared their “What’s Really in a Cigarette” presentation with more than 800 youth during the year. Smoking/drug prevention sessions are held throughout the year for all participants. The East Central Health District Tobacco Prevention Program Staff along with MACH’s Charge Team members united to help spread the word that “Real Life is Smoke and Drug Free.” The message conveyed through hands on learning sessions is, “don’t risk becoming a smoker, problem drinker or drug abuser. If you want to feel good about yourself and if you want to have control over your own well being, continue to say no to drugs and other negative influences.”

Nine students from MACH Academy along with students from the Mini Theatre and The Augusta-Richmond County Community Partnership for Children and Families, Inc., participated in the making of three 30 second Public Service Announcements designed to target elementary, middle, and high school students to help educate them on drug use prevention and awareness. We are proud of the participants and feel that the PSA’s will serve as positive vehicles to help encourage youth throughout the community to say no to drugs and other negative influences. Mustard Seed Productions, Inc. produced the announcements and they are presently airing on all local television channels.

Chelsea Smiley and TaTanisha Tucker were selected to serve on the Georgia Youth Advisory Council for CHARGe (The Coalition for a Healthy and Responsible Georgia, anti-smoking program). Active members serving on MACH’s Charge Team include: Ashley Smiley, TaTanisha Tucker, Chelsea Smiley, Brittany Evans, Dabney Smiley, Melissa House, Charity Grey, Joseph Davis, Melanie Laney, Kendra Draughn, Tiffany Tucker, Kimberly Grandstaff, Termaine Holt, and Zenobia Gordon. This dedicated group designed and implemented an anti-smoking campaign geared at helping young children say no to smoking and other harmful drugs and alcohol.

Youth In Charge Teams are established, throughout the state of Georgia, to answer the call to fight all forms of tobacco use among Georgia’s youth. Youth in Charge is a collaborative effort with CHARGe (The Coalition for a Healthy and Responsible Georgia), Georgia Department of Human Resources Tobacco Use Prevention Section, and the American Cancer Society to reduce and prevent tobacco use among youth. This talented group of young people provided “What’s Really In A Cigarette” (information designed to alert young people about the dangerous chemicals found in cigarettes and drugs). The presentation was shared during Masters Week and Summer Camp sessions, and during community events. Team members shared the presentation with more than 300 participants during the annual Trick A Treat event sponsored by the May Park Community Center and MACH Academy; more than 200 participants received the information during the 2003 annual Kick Butts Day event held in April at the Southside Boys and Girls Club, and another 200 received the information during the annual Red Ribbon Kick-Off event held at the Jennings Manor Community Center sponsored by the Augusta Housing Authority, MACH Academy, and the East Central Health District Tobacco prevention Program Staff. Team members developed posters, displays, flyers, games, and Power-point presentations to educate young people about the dangers of smoking and drug usage.

CONTACT INFORMATION

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