DRUGS HAVE AREA KIDS SEEING RED

Area schools have spent this week educating students about the dangers of
drug use. The schools are taking part in the National Family Partnership's
annual Red Ribbon Week campaign to keep children drug free.

"Our teachers are encouraged to bring in speakers and the students
participate in everything from art to essay contests this week," said Peggy
Williams, director of instruction for the Lamar County School District.
"Students are all given red ribbons and pins to wear so they will have
something tangible to look at and remind them to live a drug-free life."

Hattiesburg Police D.A.R.E. officer Mike Childress said his office will
visit area schools all week for drug education programs.

On Wednesday Childress told 90 fifth-through eighth-grade students at
Sacred Heart Catholic School the history of Red Ribbon Week.

The week began in 1988 in memory of Drug Enforcement Officer Enrique
Camarena, who drug dealers kidnapped and beat to death in 1985.

Petal School District Resource Officer Tim Hartfield said Red Ribbon Week
is important because children of all ages are allowed to hear the anti-drug
message at their own level. Hartfield said each of the district's four
schools scheduled its own Red Ribbon Week activities.