American Lung Association

INDEPTH: An Alternative to Teen Nicotine Suspension or Citation

Intervention for Nicotine Dependence: Education, Prevention, Tobacco and Health (INDEPTH) is a new, convenient alternative to suspension or citation that helps schools and communities address the teen vaping problem in a more supportive way. Instead of solely focusing on punitive measures, INDEPTH is an interactive program that teaches students about nicotine dependence, establishing healthy alternatives, and how to kick the unhealthy addiction that got them in trouble in the first place.

Sessions are offered in Elizabethton and Carter County Schools weekly. Facilitator, Denise Woods also offers weekly virtual sessions. See our website calendar or reach out to Denise at data@cartercountydrugprevention.org for upcoming classes.

Individual classes may also be scheduled by contacting facilitators, Denise Woods, Meagan Fisher, Jilian Reece, Tia Hughes, Jessica Campbell,

Freedom from Smoking

Although the first steps can be hard, finding your path to a smokefree life is easier with the right help. The American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking program is a proven way to quit smoking—and stay quit—even if you’ve tried before and went back to smoking.

Eight week sessions are offered by facilitator, Jilian Reece upon request.

N-O-T: Not on Tobacco

From the American Lung Association: Tragically, about 95% of today’s tobacco users started using before the age of 21. E-cigarettes have escalated this problem, with over 5,700 kids starting to vape every day, according to the CDC. Not On Tobacco® (N-O-T) seeks to address this growing problem by giving all teens the resources they need to break nicotine dependency and find healthier outlets.

Unlike other cessation programs which simply modify adult curriculum, N-O-T was designed with teenagers in mind and addresses issues that are specifically important to them. The program takes a holistic approach with each session using different interactive learning strategies based on Social Cognitive Theory of behavior change that can then be applied and practiced in everyday life and encourages a voluntary change for youth ages 14 to 19.

How N-O-T Works

N-O-T is taught by a trained and certified adult in ten, 50-minute sessions. It is most effective in a small group format (6-10 participants) that emphasizes teamwork. The easy-to-use method helps teens quit by addressing total health in order to develop and maintain positive behaviors. Participants will talk about the importance of physical activity, nutrition, enhancing their sense of self-control, and improving life skills such as stress management, decision making, coping and interpersonal skills. Additionally, they will learn to identify their reasons for smoking or vaping, healthy alternatives to tobacco use and finding people who will support them in their efforts to quit.

Session 1: Reasons for Quitting
Session 2: Why I Smoke/Vape
Session 3: Nicotine Addiction and Triggers
Session 4: Effects of Smoking/Vaping
Session 5: Physical, Psychological and Social Benefits of Quitting
Session 6: Quitting Nicotine Use
Session 7: Overcoming Obstacles to Quitting
Session 8: How to Deal with Stress
Session 9: Myths of Big Tobacco
Session 10: Staying Committed to Quitting

Proven Results for N-O-T

N-O-T is an evidence-based program with an impressive success rate, with approximately 90 percent of teens who participate in the program cutting back or quitting tobacco altogether. Post-program, Not On Tobacco® program youth also have been shown to have better grades, higher motivation, fewer absences, better relationships with teachers, and fewer school tobacco use policy violations.
N-O-T’s revolutionary approach has earned the program a number of accolades. Both the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in the Department of Justice and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in the Department of Health and Human Services named N-O-T a Model Program. N-O-T was also named a Research-Tested Intervention Program (RTIP) by the National Cancer Institute and received the CDC Award for Research Innovation.

Sessions are offered in Elizabethton and Carter County Schools weekly.

Individual classes may also be scheduled by contacting facilitators, Meagan Fisher or Jilian Reece.

For more information or to schedule a class, please email Jilian or Meagan.