Help with organizations such as the Lifesaver’s Club at Allentown High School.
By: Mark Moffa
ALLENTOWN The Monmouth County Communities Against Tobacco Coalition, or MCCATC, recently helped the Allentown/Upper Freehold Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse with two grants.
A $4,000 grant last fall went to the Lifesaver’s Club at Allentown High School and an additional award of $5,000 was received this year by the drug alliance.
The Lifesaver’s Club is composed of students who promise to be "drug-free role models" and sign a contract stating they will not use alcohol, tobacco or other illegal substances anytime during the present school year.
Members also try to influence other elementary and high school students to be drug free and enjoy life using "natural highs."
Ms. Schuh said the high school students talk to fifth- and second-grade students about the dangers of tobacco, along with other drugs.
Last year’s grant helped the Lifesaver’s go to a retreat for training on why people use tobacco products and what role the media plays in tobacco use.
This year’s money will allow club members to receive follow-up training, Ms. Schuh said.
Other programs recently sponsored by the drug alliance at the high school included "Save a Sweetheart" month in February and a parent/Lifesaver dinner.
Ms. Schuh also said MCCATC, which recently sponsored a smoke-free building event, is now encouraging area restaurants to offer a weekend of smoke-free dining.
March 30 through April 1 is being touted as the smoke-free dining weekend.
Restaurants such as Woody’s Towne Café and Black Forest in Allentown have already agreed to participate, Ms. Schuh said.
The Junior Lifesaver’s Club will attend an Upper Freehold Township Committee meeting on March 21 to lobby for anti-tobacco ordinances.
Ms. Schuh said Upper Freehold does not have any laws barring the distribution of cigarettes via vending machines or self-service racks. Many other municipalities now have these kind of ordinances, she said.
Lastly, Ms. Schuh added, an organization called REBEL, Reaching Everyone By Exposing Lies, formed in November. She likened the group to an MCCATC for teen-agers.
REBEL formed at a youth summit of almost 350 teen leaders last year. The event was designed to teach teens skills that will allow them to be anti-smoking advocates.
The group this year launched an advertising campaign called "Not for Sale."
The campaign, according to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, is designed to empower teens to resist manipulative advertising and to take action by telling "Big Tobacco" they are "not for sale."