March 9, 2001

When it comes to helping smokers in Charlestown, Chelsea and Revere kick the habit, Lily Prek, Betsy Rodriguez and Eileen O'Brien are a tireless trio. From now through June, one of them can be found every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday night at one of the MGH health centers, leading a group session of smokers as they attempt to beat their addiction to nicotine.

Prek, Rodriguez and O'Brien provide smoking cessation — now called tobacco treatment — through the Pack-It-In Program, operated by MGH Community Health Associates. During the past two years, as a result of an expansion of smoking cessation programs in community health centers, the three MGHers have been able to double the number of smokers they are able to help. Since last June, the women have helped more than 1,300 area residents in their struggle to quit smoking.

Pack-It-In receives funding from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's Tobacco Control program, and the MGH and Partners HealthCare Community Benefit Programs.

Pack-It-In offers smokers in Charlestown, Chelsea and Revere a complete menu of cessation services, such as one-on-one counseling, group sessions, hypnotherapy and nicotine replacement. All services are located at the MGH health centers in Charlestown, Chelsea and Revere. Cessation counseling is available day or evening, in Spanish and English, and most services are free.

For more information about the program, call 781-485-6210.

From left, Lily Prek, Betsy Rodriguez and Eileen O'Brien.