RED RIBBON WEEK TOUTS A DRUG-FREE STUDENT LIFE

Glen Cove Elementary Hosted the Kickoff

Activities Will Be Held at Schools in Roanoke, Salem, Roanoke County and
Botetourt County

Red ribbons may outnumber American flags at Roanoke Valley schools next week.

The schools will observe Red Ribbon Week to encourage students to avoid
alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs.

The Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition and Blue Ridge Behavioral
Healthcare held a news conference and pep rally Friday at Glen Cove
Elementary School in Roanoke County to kick off the event.

Red ribbons will be featured at assemblies, ceremonies, displays, rallies
and other activities at schools in Roanoke, Salem, Roanoke County and
Botetourt County as a symbol of the students' commitment to a drug-free
lifestyle.

Drug abuse is one of the biggest problems facing the United States, Salem
Mayor Sonny Tarpley said at the news conference. Drugs have a devastating
impact not only on individuals, but also on their families, he said.

As a banker, Tarpley said, he has seen grandparents use their life savings
to help grandchildren overcome drug abuse. And he added that he has seen
parents sacrifice their homes to pay the legal bills of children who were
involved with drugs.

Myles Jackson, co-chairman of the substance abuse coalition, said the week
of activities at the Roanoke Valley schools is part of a national campaign
to urge youths to stay away from drugs. The campaign was started in 1985 in
honor of Drug Enforcement Administration agent Enrique Camarena, who was
killed in Mexico by drug traffickers.

Glen Cove Elementary, which hosted the valley campaign's kickoff this year,
has been a winner in the Red Ribbon Week competition for three consecutive
years. The schools compete for the best displays and programs with an
anti-drug message.

Wearing red shirts and blouses, Glen Cove pupils gathered behind the school
and sang two songs about staying free of drugs. LifeGuard 10, Carilion
Health System's rescue helicopter, landed at the school as part of the
celebration. The students got a chance to see the helicopter up close and
hear the crew explain how it works.

Next week, students at several Roanoke Valley schools plan to dress in red,
classrooms will be decorated in red , and red ribbons will be attached to
fences and signs. Students at other schools will release balloons, plant
red tulip bulbs and collect stuffed animals for accident and fire victims.

The weeklong observance will also include a candlelight vigil at Hotel
Roanoke at 7 p.m. Oct. 28.