Calhoun's SCAT/RAZE students have been active
in delivering a message against a "powerful addiction"

Trying to educate students not to start using tobacco has been a challenge, said Student Coalition Against Tobacco coordinator Carlene Frederick. Calhoun High School's SCAT/RAZE group has been promoting the value of living a tobacco free lifestyle for several years.

"It is an even greater challenge to get kids un-hooked," Frederick said. "Lots of Calhoun kids switch to spit-tobacco, convincing themselves it is better than smoking."

The student members are actively involved in educating their peers about the importance of being tobacco free, including presenting assembly programs and skits at sporting events, said SCAT/RAZE president Eva Richards (pictured left).

She said members have advocated for public policies at the local and state level for programs consistent with their mission, more recently presenting at a public hearing in Arnoldsburg regarding new second-hand smoke regulations.

"My grandfather died from emphysema because of his smoking," said Richards, who has been involved indirectly and directly with the group for seven years. "It is important to me that kids get the right information," she said. "I know someone right now that has cancer and still can't stop. It is a terrible addiction."

Sixteen-year-old Jacob Richards of Big Springs (pictured left), has been in SCAT/RAZE since the eighth grade. "I think kids need to accept the research that tobacco often contains 32 cancer-causing agents," he said. "Besides, it is hard on breathing. I think restaurants that become smoke-free really don't lose business," he said. "Lots of people are really allergic to tobacco smoke, besides it being harmful and second-hand smoke.I think that lots of kids feel that rub is o.k.," Richards said.

The local SCAT/RAZE group has attended several regional and state-wide events, in addition to an annual summer retreat.

SCAT/RAZE member Alisha Arthur, 16, of Arnoldsburg (pictured left), said "I have seen what nicotine addiction does to family members. We watched my dad die from lung cancer." Arthur said her involvement in anti-tobacco program has been an important part of her life."People certainly need to respect the breathing rights of non-smokers," she said.

Arthur said she was not aware of the amount of funding cuts to anti-tobacco programs, but Carlene Frederick said it us becoming more difficult to keep SCAT/RAZE going because the legislature has shifted tobacco settlement money to filling the state's budget gaps.

"That money was suppose to have gone to help reduce health care costs and deaths linked to nicotine addiction," Frederick said.

Alisha Arthur's twin brother, Andy, said he has been involved in SCAT/RAZE for four years. "It has taken a heavy toll on my family," he said, praising his mother for being able to recently get un-hooked. "She's been off eight months."

Arthur said it is difficult for him to watch his friends use tobacco. "They just don't see the future and most of them feel they can stop any time they want. Nicotine is a powerful addiction that controls people most of their lives and destroys their health," he concluded.