Pubdate: Sat, 30 Oct 2004
Source: Shelby Star, The (NC)
Copyright: 2004sThe Shelby Star
Contact:  http://www.shelbystar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1722
Author: Emily Killian, Star Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

RED-RIBBONED STUDENTS TAKE STAND AGAINST DRUGS

The red ribbons on the clothes of area students this week are more than a 
fashion statement. They're reminders of the stand students are taking 
against illegal drugs and alcohol.

Some schools like Grover and Springmore elementaries have taken that a step 
further and provided students with a chance to dress up, with their focus 
on anti-drug themes.

Red Ribbon Week is a national celebration offering people a way to take a 
stand against illegal drugs and alcohol. The weeklong observance started in 
1985 as a way to honor Enrique Camarena, a government agent who was killed 
by drug traffickers in Mexico.

Springmore children wore hats one day and tacky clothes on another and 
enjoyed red food in the cafeteria each day, said Becky Hill, a guidance 
counselor at the school.

"They love the hat day and we have all had hats on, but they really love 
wacky tacky day," Mrs. Hill said.

She explained that drugs make people do wacky things and that's what the 
tacky clothes signified on Wacky Tacky Day.

Overall, she's pleased with the week's turnout.

"We have had fun and after it's all over, you're glad you did it," said 
Mrs. Hill. "If it helps even a few children, I think it's a success."

Children at Grover Elementary took a walk around campus Monday to talk 
about healthy alternatives to drugs, said Wendy Lemons, the school's counselor.

"They enjoyed it and some of them wanted to stay a whole lot longer," she 
said. "They named things they could do instead of drugs that would be 
healthy alternatives."

At the end of the walk, as school was getting out, students started 
chanting, "Say no to drugs! Never do drugs," so their parents could hear 
them in the parking lot, Mrs. Lemons said.

On other days, students wore creative hats ranging from construction hats 
to Native American headdresses and princess tiaras, she said.

Children also commemorated the week by writing essays on what their 
anti-drug is and winners' essays are printed in The Star in an insert in 
today's paper.

The Substance Abuse Task Force of Cleveland distributed 4,000 red ribbons 
across the county, said Phil Weathers, safe schools director for Cleveland 
County Schools. Ribbons went to school system employees, law enforcement 
agencies, emergency medical services, the Cleveland County Health 
Department, local hospitals, the Wal-Mart SuperCenter and restaurants.

Other schools featured speakers and DARE officers who reminded students to 
stay drug-free.

Elementary and intermediate school students signed a pledge card from the 
school system as a promise to stay drug-free, Weathers said.

"There's been a lot of things going on to promote this and the teachers 
have been encouraged to participate," he said, adding that many wore 
ribbons during the week. "They're trying to be role models and to promote 
an anti-drug stance."

Student essays on their stand against drug use are included in a Special 
Insert in Saturday's Star.
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