Kids learn about the consequences of tobacco use

Published 10:58 pm Thursday, April 9, 2009

Nadine Carter, tobacco coordinator with the Tulalip Health Clinic, has nothing but good to say about a program called Truth or Consequences that travels to schools. Students are allowed to touch diseased and healthy human livers, hearts and other organs.

“It’s amazing and affects the children quite remarkably,” Carter says. “Many children say they will never pick up a cigarette, or ever take drugs, because of this presentation.”

It was recently shown to Tulalip children and emphasizes the bad ways drugs, smoking and alcohol affect the human body.

“The children’s eyes get big,” Carter says. “They talk about it for weeks.”

Fourth- and fifth-graders wrote about the experience after the program at Quilceda Elementary School. Here are some of their comments:

“Why doesn’t the tobacco business make gas masks for children so when their parent smokes, they can put a gas mask on? A lot of children die from secondhand smoke.”

“We appreciate what you taught us about making good choices. If you drink and drive, you can crash.”

“You guys have maybe changed my life. Now I will never drink and drive or smoke because I want to be healthy and be able to live for a long time, long enough to see my kids get married and to be a grandma.”

“STOP SMOKING OUT THERE. I got a lot of information from my class so thank you, oh, and sorry for yelling.”

“I think people smoke because they are trying to act cool. They are stupid then.”

“I want to let you know that it was gross to touch the brain.”

“Chewing tobacco eats away at your gums.”

The program may close because of a lack of funding, Carter says.

“Tulalip Tribes gave them some money, but it’s not enough,” Carter says. “We keep hoping and praying for something wonderful to happen for them.”

It’s more than a pancake breakfast in Arlington.

A Getchell Firehouse Easter pancake breakfast is planned for 8 a.m. Saturday at 8424 99th Ave. NE, Arlington. Find pancakes, eggs, sausage on the grill and visits by Smokey Bear and the Easter bunny. Money raised supports the firefighters association.

“For me as a firefighter, I feel that any opportunity to serve the community and have them visit our fire station is special,” says Joshua Guidry. “It will give them a chance to see use having a good time and doing something we love, cooking food for others. It also gives us the ability to give the community information about the services we have available.”

Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451, oharran@heraldnet.com.