Pubdate: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 Source: Chico Enterprise-Record (CA) Copyright: 2006 The Media News Group Contact: http://www.chicoer.com/feedback Website: http://www.chicoer.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/861 Note: Does not print letters from outside circulation area Author: Paula M. Felipe, Public Safety Reporter LOCAL SCHOOLS KICK-OFF RED RIBBON WEEK Red Ribbons Are Being Handed Out to Students at Local Schools This Week to Raise Awareness of the Dangers of Drug Use. It is a time when young people are encouraged to pledge to be drug free, and when schools have all kinds of activities, such as making posters, decoration contests for doors and fences on campus, writing essays, dressing up for theme days, attending assemblies, and much more. "The red ribbon symbolizes this drug-free awareness campaign created by former First Lady Nancy Reagan in memory of Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique Camarena, who was killed by South American drug traffickers. The theme this year is 'What's Your Natural High' in partnership with Californians for a Drug Free Youth," according to Marian Gage, Health and Safety Coordinator at the Butte County Office of Education. The Venture Club is decorating Central and Ishi Hills classroom doors with red ribbons and are hosting "Live Tobacco Free" activities during lunch for the sixth graders at Ishi Hills and seventh graders at Central Middle School. The Ishi Hills' parent club supplied wrist bands for all Ishi Hill students and prizes will be given if students wear them all week. The Venture Club presidents, Ashley Quiroz, eighth grader,and Reagan Keeler, seventh grader, will be speaking along with a presentation by another Venture Club officer, Andrew Brewton. The Student Council officers at Central Middle School made Red Ribbon Week posters for the classrooms and purchased red ribbons for the students. Las Plumas High School's Resource Officer Will Brewton and his dog, Zeus, who is trained to find drugs will do a demonstration. Popular and Plumas Avenue Schools had assemblies for fifth graders by the Youth Alive organization, which focused on making good choices, responsibility, being a good friend, good character, never giving up your dreams; and how drugs and alcohol can keep you from making positive choices. Poplar and Plumas schools are also decorating their campuses with banners and pennants saying, "We are too cool to do drugs," and "Reach for the Stars, Not Drugs." Students will be given special bookmarks, stickers, and pencils that help promote talks in their classrooms on how good friendships can keep you on the right path to achieve your dreams and keep healthy. Butte County Office of Education's Robert Dresden visited 4th and 5th grade classrooms talking to students about the damage caused by using tobacco. Students will also be able to sign a personal pledge not to use drugs or alcohol and can take this pledge certificate home to show their parents and talk about what Red Ribbon week means to them, Marian Gage said in a BCOE press releases. The California Red Ribbon coalition, comprised of education, government, private, and non-profit anti-drug organizations, have developed and promoted programs to educate people about drugs. To obtain a copy of a DVD delivered through the California Parent-Teacher Association to educate parents, caregivers and educators with the latest drug and healthy living information, visit the Sundt Memorial Foundation at www.sundtmemorial.org to order a copy of "Natural High 2: Red Ribbon Edition." Red Ribbon week is coordinated by the Butte County Office of Education Partners in Health and Safety along with local school districts and the Butte County Department of Behavioral Health's Prevention Unit. - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine