News and Events

DeSoto High School Students Working Against Tobacco Celebrate Earth Day in DeSoto County with a Park Clean-Up
April 19, 2017

On Wednesday April 19, 2017, in efforts to raise awareness for Earth Day, and to collect evidence to support local policy implementation in City Parks and Recreational Facilities, the DeSoto High School SWAT youth completed a park clean up at McSwain Park in downtown Arcadia.

The youth were given gloves and Ziploc bags and were instructed to pick up litter of all kinds, however, there was very little “trash” on the property. The youth were however shocked at how much tobacco waste was found.


DHS SWAT Youth, along with advisor, Kandice Browning proudly
display tobacco litter that is no longer laying in McSwain Park.

The DHS SWAT club and advisor met the TPS at the park at 3:45, by 4:30, the nine youth in attendance, plus two adults, had collected over 2 gallons of tobacco litter alone. Most of the litter was cigarette butts, however, there was also cigarette packs, lighters, and drug paraphernalia collected as well.

DHS SWAT youth, along with the Tobacco Free Partnership have been working very closely with the City of Arcadia to implement a tobacco policy in our parks. Having evidence collected locally to prove a policy is in fact needed will hopefully help City Council members see the benefit of implementation.  

This was an eye-opening experience for all involved and we look forward to making our parks a cleaner, safer environment for all!

If you are passionate about the health of DeSoto County, and are looking to get more involved with SWAT and/or TFP, visit www.TFP-DeSoto.org or email info@TFP-DeSoto.org.