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UAM Receives $74,955 To Fund
Tobacco Prevention Efforts (8/17/09)
MONTICELLO , AR – The Arkansas Department of Health’s Tobacco Prevention
and Cessation Program (TPCP) recently awarded $74,955.78 to the University
of Arkansas at Monticello and the Drew HEALTH (Helping Educate, Advocate and
Lead Towards Health) Coalition to continue efforts to decrease and eliminate
tobacco use in Drew, Ashley, Desha and Bradley Counties.
Tobacco use rates have been declining statewide, and local coalitions such
as UAM/Drew HEALTH Coalition play an integral part in preventing youth from
starting and helping tobacco users quit, according to a TPCP news release.
“Coalitions and other grantees are a critical part of TPCP’s tobacco control
strategy,” said Dr. Carolyn Dresler, TPCP director. “They act as our hands
and feet in local Arkansas communities, interacting and helping real
citizens and providing feedback on how we can improve our efforts
statewide.”
The UAM/Drew HEALTH partnership provides education programs for parents, day
care employees and foster parents on the dangers of second-hand smoke.
With the new allotment of funds, UAM and Drew HEALTH have developed a work
plan to most effectively spend the dollars. Funding is extending from Drew
County to include Ashley, Desha and Bradley counties for the coming year to
assist in the implementation of UAM’s smoke-free campuses in Monticello,
Crossett, McGehee and Warren. The partnership hopes to increase the
knowledge of the dangers of tobacco use and second-hand smoke.
For more information about local coalition efforts, visit
www.drewhealth.org or contact
Community Tobacco Education Program Director Caroline N. Selby at
selbyc@uamont.edu or 870-367-6234 ext
232.
PHOTO CAPTION:Accepting a check from the Arkansas Department of Health are
(from left) Erin Handly, chairperson of the Drew HEALTH Coalition, Kimber
Knight, grants administrator for the Arkansas Department of Health, Caroline
Selby, community tobacco education program coordinator, R. David Ray, UAM
provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, and Karen Brown,
administrator of the Drew County Health Unit. |
