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- Samaritans volunteer Kelly Cunnigham recruits students to work for a teen suicide hotline.
by Douglas Abrams
To help raise awareness about common teen issues the PTSO held the Just Think: Teens Making Smart Choices exposition Thursday D-block and X-block on Main Street.
Various community groups held booths to distribute information about topics ranging from eating disorders to suicide prevention and from sun awareness to safe driving.
At its booth, the West Suburban YMCA advertised a daily afterschool program for teens called the Newton Teen Center. The Teen Center gives teens a place to feel safe and eat.
Another booth, hosted by the Newton Free Library, gave students lists of books about alcohol and suicide awareness. These books help inform students about the dangers of substance abuse.
In Control Crash Prevention, an organization that focuses on teaching teens to drive more safely through a special driving course, also staffed a booth. In Control representative Jeremy Randall allowed students to try to walk in a straight line while wearing a pair of goggles, which simulate the sensation of being intoxicated.
One booth gave students the opportunity to sign a pledge to drive safely. This pledge,“A Promise to Adam,” was started in response to the death of Adam London, ’11. Last August, London crashed into a tree and died. He was not wearing a seatbelt.