A BLUE RIBBON FOR EARLY PREVENTION

'Red Ribbon Week' Starts In AISD

Any scare kids in Amarillo get tonight as they go trick-or-treating
or tour a "haunted house" is nothing compared to the frightening
reality of drugs.

Schools in the AISD kicked off the annual "Red Ribbon Week" Monday,
which is a week filled with festivities and school functions designed
to educate students on the dangers of drugs.

The AISD has held "Red Ribbon Week" since 1989, and schools across
the district have scheduled different activities such as hat day, tie
day, slippers day and decoration contests with the overall theme of
being drug-free.

Parents of elementary school students might think their children
aren't yet at risk, but that's not the point.

The earlier, the better as far as education.

Ultimately, parents have the responsibility to teach their children
the facts about drug use - how an addiction or even one-time use can
wreck a person's life, especially a young person with their entire
life in front of them.

However, schools can also play an important role.

"Red Ribbon Week" began on a national basis in 1988 and was inspired
by the life story of Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, an undercover DEA agent
who was brutally tortured and murdered by drug dealers. In his
memory, his family established the nationwide program, which the U.S.
Congress and President Reagan authorized.

Teresa Kennedy, AISD prevention specialist, has written a children's
book about Camarena and "Red Ribbon Week," which is available by
contacting the AISD.

So if your child wants to wear fuzzy slippers to school this week, it
isn't the latest style, it is just to remind students of the dangers of drugs.

May that always be in style.