CONFERENCE/WORKSHOP CALENDAR

Fast Facts for Teen Smokers Smoking causes over 430,000 deaths per year. That's the same as if four jumbo jets crashed every day, killing everyone on board. Each day, about 6,000 young people try a cigarette, and 3,000 more become regular smokers...that's one million new smokers a year. One-third of them will die of tobacco-related illnesses. If you're smoking a half a pack of cigarettes a day, it will only take you a few months to become addicted. Smoking a pack of cigarettes a day adds up to about $180 a month or nearly $1,000 a year. Tobacco companies have spent an estimated $5 billion per year - more than $13 million a day - to advertise and promote cigarettes. Teens can visit The Truth Unfiltered for more information on smoking among teens.  It’s presented in a non-septic, non-medical manner that appeals to teens. Medical Alert Tags As physical educators and coaches we are often the very first to respond to injuries or medical emergencies among school aged children and young adults. In first-aid class they likely taught you to look for a medical identification bracelet or necklace that would provide you with valuable information regarding an individual's medical condition should he or she be unable to talk or explain it. MedicAlert® is a service that protects and saves the lives of its Members by providing identification and information in a medical emergency. The Medicalert service provides 24 hour a day information regarding its subscribers and their condition.

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Helping Others Cope On May 18th 1980 my best friend , my future wife and I were among thousands of people caught in the massive storm of ash and fallout from the Mt. Helens eruption that blanketed most of eastern Washington State.  We drove 50 miles on our motorcycles through the blackness of the choking ash.  We ran off the road dozens of time and literally felt our way to the little town of George.  We passed people in stalled and stuck cars who called out to us for help--though we could offer none. After hours of exposure to the suffocating storm of silica, we sought refuge in a small church where dozens of stranded motorists and panicked travelers and townspeople gathered to commiserate among the uncertainty.  As miserable and filthy as we bedraggled bikers were, caring people brought us in. While our little crowd of refugees waited out the days some reacted by complaining, crying, and grieving while others mustered courage, fortitude, and even humor.   I'll never forget one sturdy English woman who regaled us with stories of the WWII bombings of London which she had survived.  She helped us understand that although the problem we faced was a massive one it did not touch our souls. Although our autos and homes may be damaged and our lives changed, we were still alive, still able to rebuild, still able love and laugh and carry on. The recent terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia have rocked our nation and left us in the state of shock and sadness that follows tragedies like the Columbine Shootings, Hurricane Andrew, and other man-made and natural disasters.   As health and physical educators we are often called upon to act as  impromptu counselors, philosophers, and steadfast role models.  The website, Keepkidshealthy.com posts a good article to help equip teachers and parents with advice and information on how to best respond to kids who may express concerns, sorrow, fear or grief following disasters. Read and review their article, Coping with a Tragedy for advice on the special attention that needs to be paid during these times of uncertainty. "The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will to carry on."  Walter Lippman Andrew P. Jenkins Health and Fitness Section Editor

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Mark your calendars for October 25-27th for the Washington State Prevention Summit to be held in Yakima Washington at the Convention Center.  This conference brings together teachers, law enforcement officials, policy makers, parents, and prevention specialists to display and discuss strategies to reduce adolescent  substance abuse.  The conference has the following goals:

•	Provide support and education for the development, implementation, and continuation of prevention programming throughout Washington State;
•	Discover ways communities become safe and healthy through youth involvement;
•	Offer opportunities for youth to share thoughts and ideas on how to intervene with peers who are facing destructive decisions;
•	Earn continuing education credits; and,
•	Renew old friendships and develop new resources and contacts