RED RIBBON WEEK FUN TO REMIND KIDS OF SERIOUS MESSAGE

MUNCIE -- This year the ribbon in Red Ribbon Week actually will be a
bracelet imprinted with the phrase "Believe, Achieve, Succeed -- Drug
Free" for students to wear.

"We got a donation this year which enabled us to buy the bracelets,"
Delaware County Coordinating Council to Prevent Alcohol and Other
Drug Abuse Executive Director Pat Hart said on Thursday as she busily
packed 20,000 bracelets along with activity brochures and contest
prizes in boxes to deliver to local schools.

Red Ribbon Week, which will be Monday through Oct. 28, encourages
students in grades K-12 to avoid using drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
Participating schools will have various activities during the week
and local retail outlets will offer discounts or free goods to
students wearing the red bracelets.

"You would be surprised," Hart said of the excitement students have
about Red Ribbon Week. "When we started this about 10 years ago, (I
wondered) 'Are these kids going to really want to go to Wal-Mart and
get a free popcorn?' They do."

North View Elementary School nurse Paula Richardson can attest to
students' excitement during the week. To make sure they don't leave
their ribbon at home, students often pin their ribbons on jackets,
shirts or backpacks so they can remain eligible for prizes or rewards.

But Red Ribbon Week is more than the prizes or special treats
students receive. All the fun activities are tied to an important
message that students are getting and sharing at home.

"We do this activity brochure, and that goes home with each student,
and hopefully, that parent picks it up and they get some of the
messages," Hart said.

Richardson has anecdotal evidence of students reminding their parents
not to smoke. The week also gives students an opportunity to talk
about serious issues, she said.

"It kind of does open some doors and gets them talking about stuff,"
Richardson said.

Red Ribbon Week Highlights

Monday, Oct. 24 -- Kickoff breakfast, 7:30 a.m., Horizon Convention
Center. The Delaware County PRIDE Team, a drug prevention group
representing local high schools, will present dances, skits and songs.

Wednesday, Oct. 25 -- Speech "My Journey -- It Can Happen to You," by
Brandon Robinson, a Hamilton County jail Inmate, 7-8:30 p.m.,
Cardinal Hall, Pittenger Student Center, Ball State University.
Parking available in parking garage.

Friday, Oct. 27 -- Middle school bowling party, 6-10 p.m., Games and
Frames, Pittenger Student Center, Ball State, lower level. Cost is $1
with bracelet and $3 without. Students must have school ID. Price
includes bowling, shoe rental, pool, DJ, and food.

Saturday, Oct. 28 -- High school dance, 8-11 p.m., Great Room,
Cornerstone Center for the Arts. Cost is $2 with bracelet, $5
without. Must present school ID.

For more information, visit www.DelCoRedRibbon.org.

Source: Delaware County Coordinating Council to Prevent Alcohol and
Other Drug Abuse