The 1998 smoking age increase brought forth a multitude of changes in the lives of Chesterton High School’s students. The age increase heavily affected students who were able to purchase tobacco products at age sixteen, those of which had developed an intense liking to these products. Students with such attachments were addicted, or well on their way to becoming addicted, to cigarettes, and were left in that state when the smoking age increased to eighteen.
Lots of teenagers were already accustomed to smoking multiple packs a day, which led to smoke breaks and smoking lounges popping up in schools like rabbits. Because of such a drastic change, the Chesterton High School guidance department knew they had to do something: and thus, the quit-smoking group was born. Group membership has dwindled down over the years as smoking habits in teenagers has decreased, but nevertheless the group continues to thrive.
Today, the group houses around four students per semester. The initial meeting is often described as nerve wracking, as students are afraid of being scolded for their smoking habits.
“We make it very clear when you sign up that you’re not in trouble,” Gloria Guerrero explains. “We don’t want anybody to feel embarrassed, ashamed or afraid to come here and ask for help.”
Guerrero, who is the sole counselor at the Quit-Smoking group, starts off the meeting by showing the students some films and brochures on the dangers of smoking. However, a majority of the students come from homes with multiple smokers, those of which suffer from diseases like emphysema, so they are already aware of the physical side effects of smoking. Guerrero then goes over treatment options, but makes it very clear that a nirvana isn’t going to come overnight.
“Most people don’t actually quit until their fourth or fifth time trying, and I tell them that. I try to be as truthful and as straightforward with the students as possible. They’re the ones singlehandedly taking control of their lives, so there is no use in treating them like they’re children.”
After the first session, Guerrero insists upon meeting biweekly -- once alone at the beginning of the week and a second time at the end, this time as part of a group.
“It’s really cool being able to meet with other people my age who are going through the same thing,” one student comments. “You get to see exactly how other people are coping and dealing and it really helps you learn and grow.” Another student adds: “I really like [going to the group meetings] because Mrs. Guerrero doesn’t make it into a competition. She understands and respects that we’re all moving at our own pace.”
The group meetings are designed to get students to reach out to each other for extra support.
The perseverance of these students and the unrequited support of Guerrero has been enough to alter more than fifty lives in the past fifteen years. These students, who understand the struggle and discipline of dependency long before their time, have displayed unwavering resilience in each of their fights against addiction.
*All photos and names have been omitted as per the group’s request