Copyright: 2006 Mid-South Publishing Company
Contact: pirtle@dnj.com
Website: http://dnj.midsouthnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1709
Author: Tosheena Robinson-Blair

STUDENTS KICK OFF CAMPAIGN TO LIVE DRUG-FREE

Christiana Elementary School's fifth-grader Chase Capley loves the
annual Red Ribbon Week -- a time when teachers and staff stress the
importance of living a drug-free life.

He swears he'll never do drugs.

Caplet's classmate, Dominique Wade, said he's well aware of the
dangers of drugs.

"It can kill you and give you a horrible disease. Drugs are bad for
you," he said.

It's the message that schools across the nation want to get out to
their students.

On Monday, Christiana -- one of many Rutherford County Schools --
kicked off Red Ribbon Week with a bang.

Buttoned down in coats and braving the chilly weather, hundreds of
students lined the route to catch sight of a parade that featured a
variety of floats with catchy slogans from each grade. Theme music
from the show Cops -- "Bad Boys, Bad Boys" -- blared from a boom-box.

The floats showcased the students' creativity.

"My students had a blast building the float and participating in the
parade," said kindergarten readiness teacher Shannon Byrnes.

"Our float was, 'Don't get caught in the web, stay drug free,' and we
had spiders and spider webs and some of my children had spider hats
on," she said.

One wagon being pulled by a boy in a monkey mask proclaimed, "Don't
Monkey Around with Drugs." Another wagon being led by a student
dressed in a cape, magic wand and top hat, read "Make Drugs
Disappear," and a sign on a wagon stuffed with teddy bears read, "If
You Do Drugs You Need More Hugs."

For three weeks, 11 students led by fifth-grade teacher Erin Dwyer
worked on a dance as a part of the parade.

"They were really excited about it because they really believe it,
that they need to be drug free," she said.

All the dancers received medals from School Resource Officer Greg King.

The volunteer paraders and the Riverdale High School band traveled
from the elementary school to Christiana Middle before returning to
their starting point.

Last Wednesday, Barfield Elementary did something similar. Their
float also featured Riverdale High School's band in addition to
motorcycles and Shriner participants in their little cars.

King, who is Barfield and Christiana's school resource officer, said
Red Ribbon Week poses a fun way to teach students even more about the
dangers of drugs and how to live drug free.

King said he teaches students that drug abuse goes far beyond illegal
narcotic use.

"Legal drugs are legal as long as you use them the way they are
prescribed. You can abuse cough syrup by taking too much," he pointed out.

Principal Sue Parsley said Red Ribbon Week "signifies a celebration"
for the world to be a better place if it were drug free.

"I'm glad my children had a great time today in the parade and that
they see the importance of being drug free so early in life and,
hopefully, that we can make a difference," she said.

This week at Christiana, there will be announcements made about
drugs, writing contests about being drug free and special dress days.