By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Barton County youth attend Take Down Tobacco Day of Advocacy
new_lgp_youthcrewpic
Members of Youth Crew stand on the steps of the State Capitol, while advocating for tobacco-use cessation. From left to right are: Maryssa Menges and Ceira Franson, both of Central Plains High School; MaKiah Webber, Hoisington Middle School; Jasmine Figueroa, Great Bend High School; Branson Holinde, Great Bend Middle School; and Alvin Bowyer, Ellinwood High School.

Youth Crew members recently made a trip to the Kansas Legislature to learn more about how to prevent tobacco use, as part of their affiliation with Resist Tobacco.

Take Down Tobacco Day of Advocacy was a two-day event in Topeka.

“Since students in Youth Crew have a passion for tobacco prevention, we wanted to give them the opportunity to make positive changes in their schools and communities,” said Tyler Morton, Juvenile Services prevention advocate. “We want to accommodate students on issues they care about, while supporting their efforts.

“This trip also afforded the young people the opportunity to talk with local legislators and see how the process works in Topeka. We appreciate Rep. Tory Blew taking the time to visit with us; she is a great partner for our tobacco-awareness efforts.”

Katelyn Sigler, public health educator at the Barton County Health Department, joined Morton and the students at the Topeka event.

“We want to do all we can to educate young people, as well as their parents,” Sigler commented. “We believe that once students and parents have accurate information, they often make better choices. Students educating students also makes a big impact.”

Sigler facilitates the Chronic Disease Risk Reduction grant as part of her work at the health department.

Jasmine Figueroa, Great Bend High School junior, said she “appreciated that we are beginning to talk about third-hand smoke. Most people don’t know about this and are unaware of the danger it can cause.”

Third-hand smoke occurs when tobacco smoke leaves residual chemicals on indoor surfaces and skin.

Figueroa also noted the health-equity presentation “was really moving. To be able to undo the damage caused by Big Tobacco, we have to work on the inequities they caused.”

MaKiah Webber, Hoisington Middle School eighth grader, “really enjoyed the learning experience and the interaction with other youth advocates. It also was helpful to hear about action plans and ideas from other coalitions. I appreciate all the information the speakers provided.”

The Feb. 27-28 event was sponsored by the Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition and Kansas Department of Health & Environment.

20th Judicial District Juvenile Services empowers youth in Barton, Rice, Ellsworth, Stafford and Russell counties to achieve positive outcomes by offering Juvenile Intake & Assessment, Immediate Intervention, Intensive Supervised Probation, Case Management, Journey to Change, Life Skills, All Stars and Youth Crew. Parents and guardians also are offered The Parent Project. Visit 1800 12th in Great Bend or call 620-793-1930.