Shoes on the square, "Kick The Habit"
Carla Gwaltney Owens Sentinel writer

Almost 200 Clay and Cherokee county residents had their teeth cleaned, filled and/or extrated at the Mountain Area Dental Clinic held at Truett Baptist Camp last week end.

In an effort to help local residents "Kick The Habit," the Hayesville High School Clay County Tobacco Awareness Group, the

Clay County Health Department and the Coalition for a Safe and Drug-Free Clay County are leading the way with the first

annual "Kick The Habit Day" to be held on Friday, April 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 on the square in Downtown Hayesville.

Also joining CCTAG in sponsoring "Kick The Habit Day" are Clay County Healthy Carolinians and Murphy Medical Center.

Together, these local organizations will be placing shoes all around the square on April 26 in memory of those who have lost

their lives because of substance abuse.

Susan Thompson with the Clay County Health Department said that every Clay County resident is invited to write a note in

memory of a loved one who died because of a drug related illness. CCTAG shared that everyday 1,200 lives are lost as a result

of tobacco use and 342 die from alcohol related causes. An additional 47 people die each day from illegal drug use.

Kick The Habit Day will also gives residents an opportunity to write a "Because I Care" message in honor of someone who has

stopped using a drug or in hope that a loved one will quit. The messages will be displayed with the shoes around the Square

in Hayesville. Messages can be written on special forms provided by CCTAG at local businesses including Mountain Valley

Country Store, Nantahala Bank, United Community Bank, local newspapers, and the Clay County Health Department.

CCTAG invites residents to come out for a time of family fun on the 26th and enjoy free food and entertainment. Children will

also be treated to face painting and balloon. Coca- Cola is providing drinks for the event and Nantahala Bank is providing

hamburgers and buns, Thompson said.

Thompson announced that several local businesses have donated items for the event including Tiger's Department Store who has

donated a gift certificate for one pair of shoes and Abbie's Flowers who has donated 75 helium filled balloons.

Thompson thanked all the area businesses who are supporting the student led initiative to bring the community together to

help raise awareness about the dangers of substance abuse.

Anyone who would like to donate an old pair of shoes for the event can drop them off at the Coalition office or at the Clay

County Health Department, Thomspon said.

Additional information about the event can be received by calling the Coalition for a Safe and Drug-Free Clay County at

389-6557 or by contacting Thompson at the Clay County Health Department at 389-8052 ext. 24.story

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