Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

Although the school year may be winding down, efforts in the fight against tobacco use in schools have heated up this spring.
The latest initiative is a result of work by the Tyrone and Bellwood-Antis School Districts and Magistrate Fred Miller.
The district justice has announced the Youth At Risk program will now include juveniles charged with using tobacco on school property. This could include the use of tobacco in a school building, school bus or on other school property.
According to a news release from District Justice Miller’s office, tobacco is defined as “a lit or unlit cigarette, cigar, pipe or lit smoking product and smokeless tobacco in any form.”
Miller explained just how the new program came together between his office and the two school districts.
“The initiative for this program came from Mr. Michael Sakash, the principal at Bellwood-Antis High School,” said Miller. “Following conversations with both local school districts, it became quite apparent that we all felt there was a need to institute an education program concerning tobacco and its health consequences.
“While it appears the establishment of this type of program would be rather simple, the reality is a lot of effort and coordination was required by a number of people, said Miller. “In particular, the efforts of Mr. Sakash and Don Wagner at Bellwood-Antis and Mr. Jim Butler and Officer Bub Dick at Tyrone Area were instrumental in establishing this program.”
The program that’s been put in place is the American Lung Association’s Alternative to Suspension program. It consists of four hours of instruction on the effects of using tobacco, addiction, healthy alternatives to smoking and ways to keep from smoking at school.
“From what I understand, the program is relatively new,” said Miller. “I believe the program has been implemented in Erie.
“ According to a pilot evaluation summary that was offered to 20 participants in three states, at the conclusion of the program, approximately 23 percent of the participants quit smoking and 54 percent rated their motivation to quit smoking as high or very high,” explained Miller. “Naturally, our hope and goal will be for all participants in the program to quit the use of tobacco.
“The existence of this program is a direct result of the combined efforts of both Bellwood-Antis and Tyrone Area School Districts, said Miller. “Bellwood-Antis and Tyrone are funding the costs for their respective students via tobacco settlement monies and the safe schools, healthy kids grant monies respectively.”
The first of two classes was held in mid-April at the Tyrone Area High School. A second class was held on May 22. The class instructor, Teresa Myers, is a teacher at Tyrone Area High School. She is certified by the American Lung Association.
Miller noted Myers’ dedication and enthusiasm in teaching and reaching out to kids.
“I cannot say enough about her enthusiasm and effort,” said Miller. “Based on the feedback I have reviewed from the students, it is readily apparent that she is doing an excellent job of educating the students about the harms of tobacco and doing it in a manner of discussion that is open and comfortable to the students.”
Miller explained another class would be held as the need arises. Each class consists of six to eight students. The program is voluntary. First-time offenders are offered the opportunity to volunteer for the program at the discretion of the respective school district and the district justice. Miller said all students who were given the opportunity for the program at district court, volunteered and completed the program.

By Rick