May 15, 2007
Mike Bricker sits down with students and discusses the effects tobacco has on our bodies.
On April 20, 16 students from Nunapitchuk, Hooper Bay and Bethel, took part in a weekend retreat focused on cutting a habit for a healthier life.
When asked why he wanted to quit chewing, Justin Nick, 14, said, "Because I'm tired of using. I don't want cancer." Other students who participated stated they just "want to live longer."
The students who took part in this tobacco-free retreat are among a large number of Alaska Native teens living in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region struggling to fight a tobacco addiction.
"This retreat evolved from a focus group study that found students who chewed tobacco desired an environment away from home, preferably in Bethel, to receive education and treatment," said Elena Herrera, YKHC's EPSDT Program Coordinator.
Based on the response from the kids, YKHC's EPSDT Program, Nicotine Control & Research Program, the Alaska Native Health Consortium, and the Mayo Clinic out of Rochester, Minnesota, combined efforts to make it happen.
The pilot project aimed to test whether a retreat would be an effective setting for tobacco cessation. "Our survey showed that all students wanted to come back and they wanted a longer retreat," said Caroline Nevak, Tobacco Cessation Research Study Coordinator. "Thirteen students, or 95 percent, are still tobacco free," added Nevak. "We have enrolled them at our clinic and they receive regular follow-up treatment and counseling over the phone."
As students took the first major step towards a tobacco-free lifestyle, counselors and program coordinators found themselves in a battle to fight a habit many have carried since the age of 6 or 7. The majority of students who attended the retreat were iqmik users. Some had been chewing for as long as five years and had been using all three substances, iqmik, chewing tobacco (snuff), and cigarettes.
Students experienced the withdrawals and craving sensations associated with tobacco cessation and were assessed for clinical treatment through the Nicotine Control Program. As part of the retreat, students also received extensive Well-Child Exams through the EPSDT Program, assessing their medical, psychological and behavioral health.
"A huge part of the success was because of parental support. Many parents are tobacco users themselves; however, they recognize the treatment and education needed for their children now," said Nevak.
Alice Alexie, mother of Justin, shared her concern when she first recognized her son's habit two years ago. "He was getting it from somewhere else. I've never given him iqmik and told him I wouldn't support his habit. I looked to Nicotine Control a year ago for help but he was still using."
After a visit last year from Nicotine Control staff to their community, Justin expressed interested in going to the retreat. "I was glad because it was the first time he told me he wanted to quit," said Alexie. "I think it's finally working. I've noticed he's been using his patches and I just called to get another box for him."
Education was a major component of the retreat. Dr. Dan Hartman, family physician at the YKDRH, and Mike Bricker, Behavioral Health Clinician, spoke about the addiction of tobacco, the health effects it causes and how to prevent tobacco use in their village. Elder Sam Smith and Eula David of Mekoryuk also shared traditional stories and wisdom to advise and guide students.
Activities such as scrapbook making, writing and sharing their first experience with their tobacco use, taking walks, playing basketball, hands-on activities, and a movie night, were all incorporated to make the retreat an enjoyable time.
YKHC's Nicotine Control and EPSDT Program, along with the Mayo Clinic, are continuing to work together to offer future retreats through grant funding opportunities.
"These cessation retreats allow students to take part in an inclusive setting that focuses on relieving their tobacco addictions," said Nevak. "If we want to move forward and fight tobacco use among our youth population, we have to offer opportunities that will assist them."