Diversion program hopes to deter teen smoking

by Brynn Burton
Staff Writer

Athens High School students might want to rethink taking smoke breaks in the bathrooms between classes, because both high school and local authorities are cracking down on under age buying and possession of tobacco.

Since March 18,2001, it has been illegal for youths under 18 to possess tobacco products.

The Athens Police Department and the high school are issuing citations to any student who has tobacco products in his or her possession.

According to the Athens Police Department, the most recent arrests have been made since August 4, 2001. They were both juveniles and were pulled over for a traffic violation. They were arrested because the police found a pack of cigarettes in the vehicle.

"The police have been charging juveniles with possession and we put them into a diversion program," Athens County Prosecutor Dan Warren said. "If they have any existing citations they are fined and fines can total up to $100."

The diversion program, titled the Athens County Teen Tobacco Education Program runs two Saturdays a month. If the student fails to attend the program they are issued a complaint and then sent through the courts.

Administrators of the Health and Human Services Department teach the program monitored by Athens Court Monitor Linette Betts.

"The program allows the youth to avoid the court system," Betts said. "We give them one chance to make it up and clear their name."

The program's goal is to educate the students through the use of videos, lectures, discussions and demonstrations in a cooperative learning environment.

The teen tobacco program currently has 15 high school students enrolled. The program is for students ages 12 to 17.

The program has few students under the age of 16. There are only two who are 14 and 15.

The high school is also issuing citations along with the police, turning students in who bring tobacco into the school. They have received positive results from this.

"We are going by the letter of the law," said Athens High School Principal Mike Meeks. "We catch them, they go to the workshop and they pay."

As a result, Meeks has seen a decrease of students smoking near the high school or carrying cigarettes on them.

"It has slowed down a lot," Meeks said. "Recently we have had very few incidents. "

Meeks said that if students have to attend these workshops and parents have to take them there, they learn very quickly.