On March 20, a national day of activism known as Kick Butts Day, seventh-grade health education students across all three middle school buildings in the Sachem Central School District had a common message for their peers: Stay away from harmful tobacco products. 

In honor of Kick Butts Day, student volunteers shared this important message, empowering youth to make smart choices, stand up against big tobacco organizations and educate others on the dangers of tobacco product use. The districtwide participation in the initiative consisted of a collaborative effort from building drug and alcohol counselors and health education teachers. 

The students’ participation in the initiative served as a timely connection to their recent unit on substance abuse prevention and lessons on the importance of advocacy.