Red Ribbon Week teaches pupils about the right choices
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Students around Amherst rallied together on Monday for the kickoff of Red Ribbon Week - Oct. 22-26.

Dressed in red, or proudly wearing their red ribbons, students are making a visual statement, saying they pledge to be drug and alcohol free.

At Country Parkway Elementary School, pupils will join schools across the nation who are taking part in themes each day to mark the importance of the week.

An assembly introducing the week to the students was held Monday morning, where the teachers had a mock-fashion show to demonstrate the different themes of the week.

Monday was "Living Drug Free is No Sweat," where students wore sweatshirts; Tuesday was slipper day to "Give Drugs the Slip," Wednesday is wear red day; Thursday is mix-match day to show "Drugs and I Don't Mix," and Friday they will show support for "Hats Off To a Drug Free Life."

The different dress up days make the week significant for the pupils. Although the themes can be funny, the message of Red Ribbon Week is serious.

Now in its 19th year, Red Ribbon Week joins communities together to take a stand against drugs and alcohol abuse. Narconon Arrowhead, a treatment facility, recently reported that more than 23 million Americans suffer from drug or alcohol abuse.

Country Parkway's Principal Larry Militello said getting pupils involved young will hopefully set them on a right track for life.

"We are hoping it helps students make good choices with everyday life and think through the consequences for themselves, should they make a bad choice or attempt to," he said.

Many elementary and middle schools take part in Red Ribbon Week and starting early can be key to teaching students about drug and alcohol abuse.

"We believe in building assets among the kids. That if more positive assets are built within students it deters any form of negative behavior," Militello said, adding that positive assets are built through school, sports, music and other activities.

He said the school has been taking part in Red Ribbon Week for at least 10 years, and after the pupils leave, after the fourth grade, he hopes the message has an impact on them.

"My hope is a little voice in their brain steers them down the right path," Militello said.

The Red Ribbon Campaign was started when drug traffickers in Mexico City murdered Drug Enforcement Administration agent Kiki Camarena in 1985. This began the continuing tradition of displaying red ribbons as a symbol of intolerance towards the use of drugs. The mission of the Red Ribbon Campaign is to present a unified and visible commitment towards the creation of a drug-free America.

For information, visit www.nfp.org/redribbon.htm.