WEEK WILL STRESS STAYING DRUG FREE

The 14th anniversary of Red Ribbon Week will be observed October 23-31.
This week has been designated to educate students on the importance of
being drug free. This recognition was created in 1985 following the murder
of Federal Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena by drug
traffickers in Mexico.

In response to this tragedy, our nation began wearing red ribbons as a
symbol of our commitment to fight drugs. The theme for this year is "Plant
a Promise, Keep Kids Drug Free."

Elementary, middle and high schools in the Boyd County, Ashland and
Fairview school systems will observe this week with activities. These
include wearing red ribbons, wearing red clothing, planting bulbs around
the school and central office at Fairview, decorating doors to classrooms,
having a ``blow something besides smoke" assembly and distributing
educational material to each child.

There also will be theme days such as "Wake up! Drugs are a nightmare"
(students wear pajamas to school), "Say BOO to drugs" (students wear
Halloween costumes), and ``Too cool to do drugs" (students wear sunglasses).

Students will have an opportunity to sign a pledge card saying they will
stay drug free. Miss Kentucky will speak in all elementary schools on
Kentucky's platform, "No Ifs, Ands or Butts - That's the law!"

The Boyd/Greenup County Champions for for Drug Free Kentucky provide many
drug awareness programs in our schools. Money from the KIP project is used
for family fun nights for middle school families. These activities include
drug and alcohol prevention materials. The ALERT Regional Prevention Center
has a resource library containing materials on drug, alochol and tobacco
awareness and prevention. The staff from ALERT provides programs
throughout the school year to students.

Please join us in the campaign to keep kids off drugs in Boyd County!

Ruth Ellen Chancy, Coordinator

Family Resource Center West