RED RIBBON WEEK WARNS KIDS OF DANGER

Events Across Tri-State Encourage Youths To Keep Away From Drugs, Alcohol,
Tobacco

Teresa Frieson grinned as her two daughters battled it out in a hula hoop
contest Tuesday at Huntington's Northcott Court. While other children
awkwardly wiggled their hips, Frieson's girls stood with their arms folded,
effortlessly keeping their hoops in motion.

The older sister won, but they both got T-shirts for talent.

"This is good for the kids," Frieson said as hoops clattered around her.
"It's a day that they don't have to see drugs."

Tuesday was Red Ribbon Day at Northcott Court, one of several places
throughout the region hosting activities this week to teach kids about the
dangers of drugs, tobacco and alcohol.

Red Ribbon Week was founded in 1988 to prevent drug use and to honor
Enrique Camarena, an undercover drug enforcement administrator who was
tortured and killed by drug traffickers in Mexico.

With music, pizza, games and rides at Northcott Court, "We're just trying
to get little kids to know that they don't have to do drugs to have fun,"
said 15-year-old Anna Wright, a Huntington High student who volunteered at
the event.

"We're trying to encourage a positive lifestyle and to educate," said
Teresa Adkins, drug elimination program worker for the Huntington Housing
Authority. "We don't say, 'Don't do this.' We tell them what's going to
happen to them if they do -- you can get cancer, have bad breath, get sores
in your mouth, have a heart attack, and your fingers and your hair are
going to smell."

At a similar event Monday at Marcum Terrace, they showed kids what was in
cigarettes, such as tar and formaldehyde, Adkins said.

Many of the children who gathered at Northcott Court seemed absorbed with
the hula hoop or the Jupiter Jump, but still got the message.

Ten-year-old Ashley Williams said she learned not to smoke. Datra Figg, 15,
said the message was clear that "Drugs are bad for you and can kill you."

Children at Beverly Hills Middle School got a visit from Marco, the
Marshall University cheerleaders and others who encouraged them to stay
drug- and alcohol-free.

Several Boyd County, Ky., schools are participating as well. At Boyd County
High School, students are combining activities of Red Ribbon Week and Blue
Ribbon Week. Blue Ribbon Week, which begins next week, focuses on youth
violence prevention, said Catherine Newton, director of the Boyd County
High School Youth Services Center.

At the high school, students will gather for assemblies where students will
urge peers to steer clear of drugs, alcohol and violence. They're having a
poster contest and an essay contest with the theme "What I can do to stop
violence." Students also are signing pledge cards saying they will not
drink, use drugs or tobacco or get involved in violence. And they're
planting tulips in front of the high school to serve as reminders of their
pledge come spring.

"The main thing is to get kids aware that each individual has a
responsibility to stop the violence and stop the drinking," Newton said.
"Each person has their own responsibilities, and each person can influence
a lot of people."

Prestera Center for Mental Health Services Inc. is handing out free
booklets to help parents talk about drugs with their children. The booklet,
"Growing Up Drug-Free: A Parent's Guide to Prevention," covers topics
including how to carry on a continuing dialogue with children, why drug use
is a serious matter and how to educate oneself.

Anyone wanting a booklet can contact Angela Henderson, marketing assistant,
at (304) 525-1522.