Bethel-based coalition to offer tobacco education programs

The Housatonic Valley Coalition Against Substance Abuse on Stony Hill Road will provide tobacco prevention programs this summer in its 22 area towns.
The Connecticut Prevention Network, the state's network of 13 Regional Action Councils for substance abuse prevention and wellness, received the Department of Public Health's Innovative Tobacco Use Prevention Programs for Youth in Connecticut Grant.

The grant will give programs throughout the state a total $168,774 for their activity-based tobacco education curriculums for youth ages 5 to 14.
The Housatonic coalition will implement the statewide tobacco education program in five one-hour sessions in various settings, including summer camps, positive youth development programs, boys and girls clubs and traditional classroom locations.