RESA III Tobacco Prevention Program is distributing baseball gear to all high school baseball teams throughout the Eastern Panhandle. The Keyser High RAZE Crew assisted Donna Kuhn, RESA VIII Tobacco Prevention Specialist with the presentation of the gear to the Keyser High Junior Varsity baseball team.
Members of the Divisions youth-led anti-tobacco program, RAZE, in conjunction with the Division's spit tobacco Cessation Program Save Face distributed personalized baseball scorebooks highlighting tobacco facts. The scorebooks include tobacco cessation messages to be announced by RAZE crew members during the games. RAZE members are also giving baseballs to each team along with a bucket of sunflower seeds.
Every year, approximately 8,000 West Virginians begin smoking and 90 percent of them are under the age of 18. An estimated 49,000 West Virginia kids now under 18-years-old will ultimately die premature deaths from smoking.
RESA VIII and West Virginia Division of Tobacco Prevention wants to create a statewide youth anti-tobacco movement that initiates concern and activism, with peer-to-peer influence ultimately reducing tobacco use among teens. RAZE  was born of that desire. RAZE crews conduct commotions or activities with an anti-tobacco message. RAZE is made up of all youth interested in fighting big tobacco. RAZE accepts both smokers and non-smokers and is currently represented in all West Virginia's 55 counties. For information about RAZE at Keyser High School, contact the Adult Advisor, Trina Melody. To learn more, visit razewv.com or Donna Kuhn at djkuhn@access.k12.wv.us