By Bridget Nash, Staff Writer
Enid Tobacco Free Co-alition is looking for members.
The coalition held its second meeting Wednesday at Youth and Family Services of North Central Oklahoma. Members still are trying to build a team so they can reach out to the community.
There has been a Tobacco Free Coalition in Enid in the past, but it slowly deteriorated.
“We saw a need and saw an interest in getting it started again,” said Sean Byrne, coalition organizer.
Even though there is a member shortage, the tobacco-free campaign has begun, and area students will get a visit next week from guest speaker Gruen Von Behrens.
Von Behrens began using smokeless tobacco at 13 and by 16, he had developed sqaumous cell carcinoma. He now is 27 and has lost his lower teeth and jawbone, as well as part of his tongue and neck muscle.
Von Behrens will visit Kremlin-Hillsdale Public Schools the morning of March 26 and visit Emerson Junior High School in Enid that afternoon, and all of Enid’s seventh-graders will meet to hear him speak. March 27 he will visit Fairview and Waukomis.
During Wednesday’s meeting, coalition members also discussed what other services need to be provided. They decided while prevention is important, cessation is just as important.
“There has to be a plan for treatment, too,” said Stacy Kurtz, coalition member.
The coalition hopes to create a resource guide for those who want to quit using tobacco. They also discussed the need for support systems, second-hand smoke education and creating goals in Enid.
Before the coalition can do everything the members hope for, more coalition members are needed.
“Our main thing right now is going to be recruiting more people,” Byrne said.
Anyone who wants to participate can join the coalition, and members are especially hoping for some college representatives since college is a time when many people pick up a tobacco habit.
Anyone who would like to join Enid Tobacco Free Coalition or would like information may contact Byrne at 233-7220 or send an e-mail to etfc@suddenlink.net.
