Pubdate: Sat, 29 Oct 2005 Source: Asbury Park Press (NJ) Copyright: 2005 Asbury Park Press Contact: http://www.app.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/26 Author: Bonnie Delaney Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/red+ribbon+week DRUG AWARENESS HAS STUDENTS SEEING RED Courtney McNamara knows that drugs are bad for people. The 10-year-old fourth-grader at the Clara B. Worth Elementary School in Berkeley even designed a poster with that theme in mind. "I drew Spunky the Drug-Free Monkey saying, "Say no to drugs,' " said Courtney, describing the banana- and monkey-themed poster she made for a poster contest at her school during Red Ribbon Week. Red Ribbon Week commemorates Drug Enforcement Administration agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, who was kidnapped, tortured and killed by drug traffickers in March 1985 in Mexico. The school's Parent Teacher Association, with help from the township's Municipal Alliance, planned a full week of events, in addition to the poster contest, for students at the school. Rose Frey, Red Ribbon Week coordinator for the PTA, brought dozens of red, white and blue balloons into the school Monday morning to add to the red ribbon decorations and posters already in the school. "Last year the elementary school had a one-day Red Ribbon program. This year we decided to expand the program to a full week, and the Municipal Alliance donated nearly $300 worth of supplies to support the PTA's themed events each day," she said. The program began Monday as children wore red ribbons printed with the slogan "Show Good Character by Being Drug Free" and the words "Caring," "Citizenship," "Courage," "Respect," "Responsibility" and "Trustworthiness." Principal Jill Takacs led the children in the pledge: "I promise to be drug free and do my best in all that I do." In addition to the red ribbons, each child received a Red Ribbon Award for making a promise with all of his or her classmates to be happy, healthy and drug free. In Courtney's classroom, she and 21 of her classmates held up their right hands and recited the pledge. Fourth-grade teacher Jill Kramer said the fourth-graders have a four-week introductory program about drugs, alcohol and cigarettes, which is taught by police officers. "We also have a character-education unit, and one of the traits we talk about is respect of others and yourself," she said. "We discuss how it is disrespectful to put poisons, like illicit drugs, alcohol and cigarettes into your body. "I'm always surprised that many of the children already know about drugs. Most of them know what marijuana is," she said. Jonathan Dula, 10, a classmate of Courtney, said that cigarettes are bad for people, too. "They're bad because they can cause cancer," he said. Jonathan and Courtney said they both were looking forward to the rest of the events planned for the week. Tuesday's theme was "Being Drug Free Is No Sweat," and students were asked to wear sweatpants and sweatshirts. They received handouts with information on living a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. Wednesday's theme was "Turn Your Back on Drugs" and "Plant the Promise" day during which staff and students were to wear their shirts backward or inside out, and students were given a red triumph tulip bulb to take home and plant. Thursday's theme was "Sock It to Drugs," and everyone was to wear crazy or mismatched socks. Friday's theme was "Say "Boo' to Drugs," as well as the school Halloween celebration. On Monday, Berkeley Mayor Jason Varano will be announcing the poster contest winners, with one winner to be selected in each grade from kindergarten through fourth grade. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin