Native American traditions have long included
the use of tobacco. But today’s cigarettes and
chewing tobacco are far more addictive than in
generations past. Reed Galin shows us a tobacco
education program aimed at stopping teen
smoking.
SCRIPT:
(Locator: Robeson County, North Carolina)
In Robeson County, North Carolina tobacco has
been a major cash crop for generations.
The Rev. Gary Locklear: “Tobacco was king. It
paid the bills. We continued to grow tobacco and
continued to treat the disease that it created.”
The Reverend Gary Locklear has lost four
siblings to tobacco-related diseases.
The Rev. Gary Locklear, Native American
Cooperative Ministry: “…heart trouble, diabetes,
emphysema…”
Five years ago, North Carolina partnered with
the United Methodist Rockingham District Native
American Cooperative Ministry in an effort to
reach young people before they start a life-long
habit.
Presenter shows liquid in jug: “It’s one pack a
day for a year, a year’s worth of tar in the
lungs.”
Locklear and his staff talk to teenagers, mostly
at United Methodist churches.
Presenter: “Do you know anyone that has lung
cancer? Yes, you do?”
Tobacco use among young people — Native American
youth, in particular — is higher here than
elsewhere…
Holly Bullard, age 17: “Wow, at our school I’d
say at least 65% because we can’t go in the
bathrooms without cigarette smoke.”
… and so are diseases related to cigarettes and
smokeless tobacco.
Presenter shows picture of disfigured young man:
“…at 17 he already had oral cancer, and he’s had
a lot of surgeries.”
Almost 40% of Robeson County residents are
Native American, mostly of the Lumbee Tribe.
Cultural history adds to the problem, because of
tobacco’s significance.
The Rev. Locklear: “It was used at times of
worship. Even today when tribes meet each other
at large events, tobacco is given to other
tribes as a symbol of respect and pride.”
Locklear lighting tobacco leaves: “The purpose
is for the cleansing of the soul.”
But modern tobacco is different, with the use of
pesticides and chemical additives that cause
addiction.
Presenter: “Both of them died from the disease
itself.”
These girls have signed pledges not to smoke or
chew.
Sonyasha Strickland, age 16: “I don’t honestly
understand how you could know what’s in a
cigarette and what it’s doing to your body and
still be able to do it. Because it would be on
my conscience. It would bother me.”
TAG:
Locklear estimates ten to fifteen percent of teens
they talk to sign the contract not to use tobacco. For
more information, contact the Rev.
Gary Locklear or program coordinator Louisa
Locklear of the Rockingham District Native American
Cooperative Ministry at 910-374-4059.
