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American Indian Development Associates partners with the American Lung Association’s Not on Tobacco (N-O-T) for American Indian Teens
The American Indian Development Associates (AIDA) has partnered with the American Lung Association (ALA) to provide a culturally relevant tobacco cessation program, "Addiction is not Tradition," curriculum to incarcerated American Indian youth. The youth are located in juvenile detention centers managed by the NM Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD). A group of young men at CYFD’s Youth Diagnostic and Development Center and a group of young ladies at the NM Girls School meet weekly to take part in the program.
The ALA N-O-T Program for American Indian Teens was developed as part of the Many Voices, One Message: Stop Tobacco Addiction Initiative. It was prepared in partnership between the West Virginia University, the University of North Carolina and the NC Commission on Indian Affairs with funding from the American Legacy Foundation and the Center for Disease Control.
The sessions are facilitated as talking circles and focuses on the benefits of staying tobacco free and acknowledging the differences between traditional ceremonial tobacco and commercial tobacco. Along with learning the benefits of remaining tobacco free, the youth are learning and improving several other life management skills to benefit them both during commitment and upon their return to their tribal community. The program provides strategies on how to reduce stress, make decisions, and communicate more effectively with family and friends. The program will also promotes youth advocacy and leadership. This program is one of the exciting new initiatives that the AIDA and the AIDI non-profit is pursuing as they expand the existing Cultural Services program to New Mexico’s incarcerated youth. Click here to see other services being provided to this group of youth.