LONG BEACH – On Jan. 8 several students from Ilwaco Middle/High School participated in a free SpeakOUT/Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU) training in Long Beach at the Edgewater Inn. The event was organized by Pacific County Health and Human Services and a portion of the training was sponsored by the American Cancer Society.

Created for eighth graders and high school aged kids, TATU is best described as a Tobacco 101 course covering its harmful effects, addiction and the chemicals added to cigarettes. During TATU training students are taught the consequences of tobacco use and the skills needed to share the message with younger students.

Teens who participated in the SpeakOUT training were able to plan activities and practice leadership and advocacy skills to “speak out” against tobacco use in their school and community. Funded by Washington State Department of Health, the SpeakOUT program helps students assess health problems in their communities; make and implement goals; form youth and adult partnerships; and plan tobacco prevention projects with assistance from Community Action grants.

By participating in TATU and SpeakOUT, the students will be able to develop and practice important skills that they can apply to other issues and situations related to healthy choices and work with community coalitions to make a difference.

Other schools were invited to the training, but were unable to attend due to area flooding.