KATV Channel 7 - The Spirit of Arkansas: 40 Days to Freedom Program Introduced to Local Faith-Based Community

40 Days to Freedom Program Introduced to Local Faith-Based Community

(Pine Bluff, Arkansas – November 24, 2010) The Minority Initiative Sub- Recipient Grant Office (MISRGO) at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Health's Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program, will introduce the faith-based cessation training, 40 Days to Freedom, in an informational session Tuesday, November 30th at 9:30 a.m. in the Little Rock Room of the Little Rock Hilton Metro (925 S. University Avenue; Little Rock, AR).

The MISRGO at UAPB was established in 2002 as an initiative of the Master Tobacco Settlement Agreement. The Office is responsible for addressing the devastating effects of tobacco consumption within Arkansas' minority communities by preventing the initiation of tobacco use among youth, promoting cessation among youth and adults, eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke, and identifying and eliminating disparities in tobacco use among different population groups.

"The MISRGO is committed to reducing the effects of tobacco consumption in minority communities throughout our state," commented Dr. Marian Evans, MISRGO Program Coordinator. "This informational session will empower faith-based leaders and representatives throughout the state to serve as a strong voice in the anti-tobacco campaign."

The Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program (TPCP) at the Arkansas Department of Health has several components aimed at reducing tobacco use by Arkansans. TPCP is charged with developing and implementing a statewide and comprehensive tobacco education, prevention and cessation program.

"We are excited to bring the 40 Days to Freedom Program to Arkansas' faith-based community", stated Dr. Carolyn Dresler, Program Director, TPCP. "We think that working with the churches as partners will help us reach people where they are receptive to the message. The informational workshop will serve as the introduction to the tobacco cessation training taking place December 9th. We're ready to go!"

Attendees of the 40 Days to Freedom informational session will gain an introduction to MISRGO, TPCP programs, the 40 Days to Freedom curriculum and resources available for programmatic implementation.  For more information about the information session or to R.S.V.P., contact Connie Robinson at 870.575.8923. To learn more about the MISRGO, visit www.misrgo.org.