Crew Member Continues to Impact Teens on truth® Tour Returning truth® crew member Jason Thompson has seen the addictive nature of tobacco first-hand. He is participating in the summer truth® crew member tour for the second consecutive year in hopes of connecting and engaging with youth before they start smoking. "My friends smoke, my father smokes and now my sister smokes. I wish they had the actual facts I have now," he said. Thompson, 25, and the other truth® crew members are traveling across the country with the BALL4REAL Tour and Screamfest '07 to reach teens with the important facts about tobacco use and addiction. A native of Mississippi, he has observed the tobacco prevalence in his community. "There are not a lot of smoking cessation or prevention programs where I come from," Thompson said. "For me, it makes truth®'s message even more important because of the underrepresented population of young, African Americans in my community." Thompson and five other crew members also participated in visits to Capitol Hill in June, where they educated members and their staffs about the truth® tour and the importance of youth prevention campaigns. The truth® crew members travel across the country with tours that are popular among teens. "We don't preach, so youth respond to our message. They can walk away informed and sometimes with our free giveaways," he said. For Thompson, traveling on a co-ed bus, living out of a suitcase and constantly being on the go is worth it if young people receive the message. This will be Thompson's last tour with truth®. When asked if he had any advice for future or current crew members, Thompson replied: "Take truth® with you everywhere you go. It changes you once you become really involved. Take the whole experience and especially the message to heart."