News and Events
Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Clubs are Preparing for a Busy School Year!
September 1, 2019
As students returned to school last month, students were looking forward to the new year of SWAT meetings and activities. SWAT clubs will resume meetings this year at Oslo Middle School, Gifford Middle School, and Sebastian River Middle School. SWAT, or Students Working Against Tobacco, is a youth coalition whose mission is to mobilize, educate and equip Florida’s youth to revolt against and de-glamorize Big Tobacco.
In recent years, Indian River County SWAT Youth have organized beach clean-ups, participated in meetings with decision-makers, and participated in proclamation hearings. This year, our SWAT members will continue their mission as they fight against big tobacco and electronic cigarettes with the ‘Not A Lab Rat’ campaign. Not a Lab Rat’ Day will be celebrated on October 16th. This activity will educate peers on the dangers of these products. Three SWAT clubs will resume meetings this year at Oslo Middle School, Gifford Middle School, and Sebastian River Middle School.
Oslo Middle School SWAT holds their first meeting of the new school year!
In addition to the three existing SWAT Clubs, Indian River County SWAT has partnered with Substance Abuse Free Indian River (SAFIR) to create a high school youth coalition aimed at addressing substance use in adolescents. This SWAT Chapter met several times over the summer and continues to meet every Tuesday night. Recently the students elected six new leaders who will organize and promote the organization. The club has 15 dedicated students from Vero Beach High School, Indian River Charter High School, and Sebastian River High School.
Currently, the elected student event coordinator is working with members to plan an event for Not A Lab Rat Day. Students are also preparing to volunteer at local football games where they will spread the message of SWAT and the youth coalition.
There are opportunities for your school or youth organization to engage in Not A Lab Rat Day activities. For more information, please contact SWAT Coordinator, Kyleigh Savoie at KSavoie@quitdoc.com.
