EDITOR:
Now that we have the first few months of 2010 under our belt, Students Taking On Prevention has many events planned for the rest of the year. The statistics for Nevada concerning tobacco have arrived and we're ready to share them with you. One of them states 13.6 percent of high school students smoke, although this statistic has decreased, we'd like to make it even smaller.
Our peer-to-peer education events have made a difference and we will continue our presentations until this percent is non-existent. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids statistics states that there will be 47,000 kids under the age of 18 that will ultimately die prematurely from smoking. One of STOP's goals is to decrease the amount of premature deaths in Nevada. Our coalition is now 66 students strong and all of them are eager to get to work.
Prevention starts with awareness, and that's what we're here for. I am proud to be the President of STOP, and I am proud to be involved with such a wonderful group of my peers. I am a graduating senior this year, and whatever college I choose to attend, I will hope to continue my prevention work. I have been actively involved in prevention at the Partnership of Community Resources/STOP for six years and I'm glad I joined. It has been very a fulfilling experience to be able to make a difference in my community. Anyone interested in joining STOP or receiving a peer to peer tobacco/ alcohol presentation can contact the Partnership of Community Resources at 782-8611.
Sandy Lopez
President of STOP
Gardnerville
