A CALL TO OUR TEACHERS, STUDENTS, UNIVERSITIES, AND WATCHDOGS

 A CALL TO OUR TEACHERS, STUDENTS, UNIVERSITIES, AND WATCHDOGS

This is an opportunity for education, research, and community involvement.

Teachers: why not challenge high school students to investigate?

Ask students to research:

1. Where exactly is the tobacco settlement money going?
2. How much money has B.C. received so far?
3. Who is responsible for tracking and reporting it?
4. What laws or agreements guide how it can be spent?
5. Is the public able to easily follow the money trail?
6. Since tobacco companies targeted generations of people — and youth have been heavily targeted by vaping companies — how can this money best protect young people?
7. Should more funding go toward youth mental health and addiction prevention?
8. How can we better educate young people about nutrition, healthy choices, and the risks of addiction?
9. What investments help young people find purpose, skills, jobs, housing, and a healthy future?
10. What would students recommend if they were responsible for creating a healthier province?

Universities: this could become a powerful research opportunity.

Invite students in public policy, health sciences, economics, journalism, education, social work, and environmental studies to investigate:

• The complete financial trail of the tobacco settlement
• How other places have used similar funds
• The long-term impact of investments in mental health, prevention, education, arts, housing, and employment
• What creates healthier communities and better outcomes for future generations

Imagine thousands of students asking:

“If this money came from the harm caused by addiction, how can we use it to prevent harm and build a healthier society?”

Possible priorities to study:

🧠 Mental health support
🎨 Arts and creativity
📚 Education and lifelong learning
🥗 Nutrition and healthy living education
🚭 Addiction prevention and recovery
🏠 Housing stability
💼 Jobs, skills, and meaningful purpose

The goal is not just to follow the money.

The goal is to imagine a better future and make sure public funds create the greatest benefit for communities.

Journalists, researchers, teachers, students, and watchdogs — please help follow the trail.

#ShowMeTheMoney #FollowTheMoney #BCAccountability #YouthMentalHealth #InvestInOurFuture #EducationMatters #ArtsMatter #AddictionPrevention #HealthyCommunities #TransparencyMatters