My name is Candy Medina, and I’m a junior at Putnam City West High School. For the past two years, I've been deeply involved with the YAHL program, working closely with my Youth Field Organizer Jeanae on some incredible campaigns. One that hits close to home is our work with CounterAct Tobacco. 

When I was 13, I fell into the trap of smoking, thinking it would make me "cool", but everything changed when I witnessed a close friend overdose. Seeing the devastating impact of drug abuse on those I care about was a wake-up call. I realized I needed to change my path, and I've been fighting against tobacco and drug use ever since. Now, it breaks my heart to see my friends tempted by these products and heading down the wrong path. 

CounterAct Tobacco is all about educating both young people and adults about the real dangers of tobacco. It is a huge issue because teens have such easy access, whether it's through parents, friends, or even strangers. We tackle this by hosting events at school and spreading awareness any way we can. 

One of the best things about YAHL is that we're funded by TSET (Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust), which is dedicated to preventing and reducing the leading risk factors for diseases like tobacco use and obesity. Through the YAHL program, I've found my voice to speak out against what's wrong. Looking ahead, I'm excited to strengthen my school's tobacco policy by ensuring we have updated smoke detectors and meet with our local elected officials to discuss the ongoing issues of tobacco use. This is more than just a program for me; it's a personal mission to protect my community and help others avoid the mistakes I made.

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By: Candy Medina, Putnam City West High School