Reduce Tobacco Use, a youth group at the Durfee High School Alternative Program, recently completed an anti-smoking youth action initiative. The group was awarded a $2,000 “Get the Word Out” grant from The Medical Foundation to raise awareness of the dangers of tobacco use and secondhand smoke in their schools. The grant was one of eighteen “Smoke-Free Schools” grants awarded to youth groups across the Commonwealth as part of the Youth Action Initiative, a program designed to engage Massachusetts youth ages 12 to 18 (or grades 7-12) in the statewide movement against tobacco. The youth group collected information about tobacco use and influence in their school and on school grounds.  The project focused on activities at the school that raised awareness about these issues and making their school smoke-free.  In order to raise visibility, RTU decorated a wall with smoking facts and created a pledge wall where smokers pledged to quit and non-smokers pledged to help their families and friends quit. The highlight of the project was a school-wide poetry contest that focused on the dangers of smoking and secondhand smoke. Each of the contestants read their poems to each class. In addition, the classrooms were presented with facts about secondhand smoke. Christian McCloskey, the Youth Services Coordinator said, “The tobacco industry has influence in every corner of society, including our schools.  Smoking is the number one preventable cause of disease and death in Massachusetts and in the world today.  We want our young people to realize that they have the power and the creativity to help prevent a new generation of young people from becoming addicted to tobacco.” For more information, contact Youth Services Director Christian McCloskey at 508-324-2419.

(Top row, left) Project Coordinator Lea Fernandes introduces the students who each read their poems. (Top row, center) Contest winner Richard Ferrara poses. Click here to read his winning poem. (Top row, right) Rachael Couture receives her award from Youth Services Coordinator Christian McCloskey. (Middle row, left) Miahael Pierre-Paul receives his award. (Middle row, right) Richard Ferrara is presented with a basketball along with his award for his prize-winning rap. (Bottom row, left) Toya Bacote receives her award. (Bottom row, center) Rachael Couture, Lea Fernandes, Tatiana Fernandes, Toya Bacote and Michael Pierre-Paul pose under the mural they created for the project. (Bottom row, right) Lea and Michael pose.