The last week of October is nationally celebrated as Red Ribbon Drug-Awareness Week. The theme for 2007 is "Look at Me, I'm Drug Free." Local schools, agencies, and individuals have engaged in drug education and awareness activities.

It has been fun to visit area schools and observe the innovative ways students are presenting drug-free messages. Purvis Elementary School students celebrated "Sock it to Drugs" by wearing wild or mismatched socks the day I joined them. I was impressed with the questions students asked about our most commonly abused drug, alcohol. They listened to consequences experienced by people who abuse alcohol, tobacco or other drugs, and were encouraged to sign the Red Ribbon Pledge to make healthy, positive choices; solve disagreements without violence; and to be alcohol, tobacco, and drug-free.

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