THATCHER — The Youth Advocates for the Graham County Substance Abuse Coalition are trying something new to help their peers give up vaping, or not even start.
The Youth Advocates are giving away kits that will help youths deal with cravings. The kits include cinnamon candy and a pack of gum, a metal breathing straw to mimic the habit of vaping until a user is over the craving, as well as a bracelet and sticker to provide encouragement.
“We give them to the offices in the middle schools and high schools, and also to the resource officers on campus. So if somebody wants a kit, they can go to the office or their school resource officer, or they can contact the high school,” said Kaydence Perry.
Kathy Grimes, executive director for the Graham County Substance Abuse Coalition, said the kits have captured the attention of residents in Duncan.
“We partner a lot with the Greenlee Coalition and they heard about it,” Grimes said. “There was one young lady who was interested in one and we gave it to her. Her mom vaped also, and she asked for one because she wanted to quit with her daughter.”
Perry and her fellow advocate, Nataly Walter, said they have distributed about 20 kits in a little more than a month, and they plan to bring the kits back next school year.
