New Tioga County Program Help Teens with Substance Abuse Education

Some alarming statistics have been released for Tioga County.  According to studies from Tioga County Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Inc (TCCASA), "22.1% of adults smoke cigarettes and 22.5% of adults binge drink in Tioga County. Alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents are also the third leading cause of death in Tioga County."

Most problems with substance abuse begin during adolescence, so TCCASA strives to educate our youth about the dangers of alcohol and tobacco use while encouraging healthy alternatives to drug use.

TCCASA has announced its new GIRLS program (Getting Involved in Recreation and Living with Self-confidence) that is kicking off on May 6th. The program is free to attend and open to all high school girls living in Tioga County.

The GIRLS program was adapted from an evidence-based program called SPORT, which is shown to reduce alcohol and tobacco use while increasing physical activity, self-confidence, and parent-child communication.

Meetings will be held in the TCCASA office every Tuesday from 3 to 4:30pm. The prevention staff will spend 45 minutes talking to girls about substance abuse, physical fitness, and strategies for building self-confidence; and 45 minutes will be spent doing a group exercise, like Hip Hop Abs.

The GIRLS program educates teens and encourages them to make healthier choices in a safe and friendly environment. Participants are welcome to attend every meeting or they can join us as their schedule permits.

For more information, contact TCCASA directly at 607-687-6349 or by email at info@tccasa.org. The office is located at 6 McMaster Street, Suite 4 in Owego.