Morning all. I went last Friday to my daughters school and set up an anti smokeless booth during their health fair. I had a banner made up. Pictures from my operation enlarged. Lots of brochures. As much stuff as I could get my hands on so as to educate these young people about the dangers. I feel it was a bigger success than I planned as I got 8 boys to give up nine cans of dip. Mind you, tobacco is illegal in schools anyhow. But these boys were compelled to give it up. One went back to his locker and brought it. Another went to his truck and got 2 cans. I had a small red trash can for them. Several I talked to for a long time. And I could tell several were going to have a tough time quitting. Hopefully they will follow through with my suggestion on forming a quit support group.
Anyhow, I have a short story and some pics on my web site. Those that kknow it, go look if you can. Those that don't, email me. Y'all have a great tobacco free day!!! God bless, Curtis

AWESOME!! I am so thankful that those of us that are "called" to make a difference, go and DO IT!! Erik and I are in the process of deciding (and praying) on what we are supposed to do in the area of activism. Erik is only a month post treatment, so it's not going to be right away, but soon! It would be great if we (the people on the forum) could share the information, and get it to the schools, and arenas where we can educate! It would be nice if we could put together a "program" all together and use it nation wide- huh, maybe that is what I'm supposed to do? Im gonna have to think on that one.

Someone needs to start writing a cook book on how to do this on a local level that we can have as a download from the OCF website. A check list of what you need to take, talking points etc.

OCF can print up banners and have them available to ship out to people that are going to do these. It wouldn't cost much to have a few and ship them around the country as the opportunities came up for a volunteer to attend a health fair.

Mr Hill? I tried to email you, but your box is full. I will try again later.

Erik is very experienced in this sort of thing, he teaches mini seminars on Pacemakers and Defibrillators, he has to put together the presentations, and he also suggested that once its put together that it is in a download format, so everyone can use it, so I guess he is right in line with what you were thinking Brian.
I think Erik and I would like to begin taking on this task! Maybe The Outdoor Texan would like to help head this up too, since he's already doing some presentations.

That is great! I sent information to our highschool science teacher last week about my brother - pictures of him before, during and after, and with his family - as well as a written story to go with each one. I hope to present to our local school next year, but, I'm just not emotionally strong enough yet. We are still in the middle of our "firsts" - Our first Christmas, First Easter, his daughter's "first" birthday withouthim, Her kindergarten graduation,etc. It will be a year in July since we lost him. I hope a little more time will give me the strength I need to stand in front of a group of teenagers and share his story. The good news is that one girl has already come up to me crying and thanked me for the stories - she no longer dips. I know that sounds crazy, but we have had a rash of high school girls dipping lately. I was so glad this girl changed her mind. She is a leading athlete at the school and I know two or three girls who started dipping just to be like her. Maybe by getting one or two to change there minds, many others may never get started.
Anyway, Outdoortexan, I would be happy to help you create a highschhol program. I've taught high school English and was also a graphic artist for a number of years. If I can help, please let me know.
Tonya

Added note: I just found out 2 of my fifth grade students are dipping after school! I don't know why this suprises me, my brother was dipping at that age. Needless to say, I will be bringing his story to them this week.

Any help you need Tonya, I am here. And no, it doesn't suprise me about girls. It is becoming more prevelent than ever. That is a big reason we need a program. And giving a personal experience has so much more impact than having just a "spokesperson" talk about it to them.

First, please email me do not send me PM's from the message board. I get my emails on the road easily but I do not always check the message board because of time constraints and the living out of a suitcase style that my life has become.

13-year-old girls are one of the fastest growing segments of spit tobacco users. They use it for WEIGHT CONTROL since it suppresses appetite. Clearly periodontal disease and cancer have not been considered by them, since there are other appetite suppressants with fewer side effects.