Pubdate: Sun, 22 Oct 2006
Source: Sun Herald (MS)
Copyright: 2006, The Sun Herald
Contact:  http://www.sunherald.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/432
Author: Leigh Coleman, Sun Herald

AWARENESS RIBBONS REINFORCE SCHOOLS' WAR AGAINST DRUGS

JACKSON COUNTY - Every K-12 student in Jackson County received a red 
ribbon last week as part of National Red Ribbon Week, which is the 
largest drug prevention event in America.

Singing River Services Prevention Department passed out more than 
3,000 red ribbons with the phrase "Drug Free 24/7 - 365."

National Red Ribbon Week was a campaign started when drug traffickers 
in Mexico City murdered Kiki Camarena, a DEA agent, in 1985. The 
continuing tradition of wearing red ribbons symbolizes the 
intolerance towards the use of drugs and to present a unified 
commitment toward a drug-free America.

"This is a concrete reinforcement that we are at war against drugs 
and the future of our children depends on our constant attention to 
preventing drug use," said Dr. Sherman F. Blackwell, director of 
Singing River Services.

Sherman and department employees are personally going to every school 
in the county passing out the ribbons to the students to show their 
support on the fight against drug abuse.

"The prevention department at Singing River Services takes an active 
role in educating the schools in Jackson County about drug abuse 
throughout the year," said Nadine Wilson, prevention specialist.

During National Red Ribbon Week, every school in the county will put 
on plays, display art projects and have special hat, sock and shirt 
days to promote the fight against drugs.

For more information about drug awareness programs and National Red 
Ribbon Week visit www.ncada-stl.org or call 474-3399.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine