RAISING DRUG AWARENESS

Red Ribbon Week Works to Prevent Substance Abuse

Thousands of schools nationwide this week are celebrating Red Ribbon
Week, reminding students about the dangers of drugs.

The significance, though, may be a little more here at Holmes
Alternative School.

The roughly 40 students in grades 7-12 are here because of behavior
problems they had while at Holmes Junior/Senior High School. For
some, those problems included drug use.

This is the first year the alternative school has made a big splash
about this week. Administrators hope it has an impact.

"There's going to be resistance from some, but I think they'll react
well to the projects we do," Principal Robin Shuttleworth said.

The week kicked off with students and staff wearing red T-shirts
Monday that said "Being Drug Free is my Responsibility."

Andre Cox, 15, read a little history about the week, stating that it
began in 1988 after Enrique Camarena of the U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration was killed while working undercover in Mexico
investigating a drug cartel.

Andre said he sees drugs in Covington "all the time."

"I think this is a real important week," Andre said. "We need to get
people to see how important it is to keep our streets clean."

Sharon Luke, 13, introduced Mayor Butch Callery, who proclaimed this
Red Ribbon Week in the city.

Sharon said her parents taught her the dangers of drugs.

She doesn't use them - but doesn't know how many of her classmates
will get the message.

"I think it's going to have an effect on some students, but only
those who really believe in being drug-free," Sharon said.

The students will have a poster contest, discussions about drugs and
a walk Friday from the school to the district office where they will
plant red tulip bulbs. Funding is being provided by Children Inc.,
which sponsors service learning projects such as this in Northern
Kentucky schools.

Even though the activities end Friday, counselor Bruce Hill said the
message will not.

"We will continue the message with education and prevention," Hill
said. "We have to keep talking about it."