The Alameda County Office of Education (ACOE) was awarded a three-year $791,000 grant by the California Department of Education to fund the Tobacco-Use Prevention Education (TUPE) Program.

The grant will serve middle and high school students in Dublin, Livermore, Newark, San Leandro, and San Lorenzo with prevention and intervention projects, and cessation services for students who are ready to quit smoking.  Grant funds will supplement existing professional development and technical assistance provided by ACOE to reduce use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs among Alameda County youth.   

Proposition 99, approved by California voters in the November 1988 general election, increased the tax on each pack of cigarettes sold in the state by 25 cents; a portion of these monies fund tobacco use prevention education programs in schools.  Such prevention programs are an important part of reducing youth tobacco use throughout the state.  Since Prop 99 was passed, smoking has declined by more than 60% among eighth grade students and by more than 50% among tenth grade students.

“In our high stakes testing environment, the inclusion of vital life skills often is left out or pushed out of the curriculum. I am delighted that the County Office of Education can continue to provide support and training on the integration of prevention and cessation of tobacco, drug and alcohol abuse into a standards based curriculum,” said Sheila Jordan, Superintendent of Alameda County Schools.

The Alameda County Office of Education is committed to assisting youth and ensuring that they receive a safe, well-rounded education. For more information about the TUPE program, please call Janine Saunders at (510) 670-4589 or e-mail jsaunders@acoe.org.

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