Pubdate: Sat, 30 Oct 2004 Source: Sun Herald (MS) Copyright: 2004, The Sun Herald Contact: http://www.sunherald.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/432 Author: Melissa M. Scallan Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Red+Ribbon (Red Ribbon Week) GULFPORT STUDENTS RUN FROM DRUGS GULFPORT - Students from Pass Road Elementary and Bayou View Elementary literally ran from drugs Friday morning as part of their Red Ribbon Week activities. Students from both schools gathered in the gym at Pass Road Elementary and saw a demonstration by a police dog and heard from police officers and U.S. Congressman Gene Taylor about how important it is to stay away from drugs. Lt. Alfred Sexton with the Gulfport Police Department declared Friday "Running Away from Drugs Day" in the city and presented principals from both schools with plaques. Angel Stevens, a deputy with the Harrison County Sheriff's Department, showed students a demonstration from a criminal apprehension dog, Noikay. "We're not trying to hurt anybody," she told them. "We're just trying to catch the bad guys." Taylor asked the students what would be happening in two months. Many students hollered out, "the election," but Taylor actually was talking about Christmas. He said the best Christmas present is for children to tell their parents they won't do drugs. "If you mean it, that will be the best Christmas present or birthday present you can give your parents," Taylor said. After the program, about 300 third-fourth- and fifth-graders from both schools hit the pavement and ran to Bayou View Elementary and back. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek