STUDENTS KEEP DRUGS OUT OF VIEW

The Nation's Longest Running Drug Awareness Campaign, Red Ribbon
Week, Joined a Growing County Organization During One of Its Many
Events to Keep Kids Off Drugs.

Luis Melgar might only be 11 years old but he understands he has an
important role at his school.

"I represent an organization that promotes drug awareness and keeps
other students away from drugs," he said. "If all the important
figures in U.S. history would have done drugs where would America be?"

Melgar is this year's Drug Free Youth in Town president, an anti-drug
program working with his school, Devon Aire Elementary, along with a
host of others across Miami-Dade County.

Red Ribbon Week, the oldest and largest drug prevention program,
shared its time and space with DFYIT's 'X' Week, putting together the
first Red Ribbon Rally, an event hosted by Barbara Goleman Senior
High. The 100 percent me drug-free themewas realized through
anti-drug stories and speeches to more than 1,400 Miami-Dade students.

"It's important to reach the younger students who look up to older
ones and stress the importance of staying off drugs, said Deborah A.
Montilla, administrative director of the division of student services.

Drug Free Youth in Town, a local drug and alcohol prevention program
for youths, runs clubs for more than 7,000 students in 63 schools countywide.

"We try and get kids involved from Homestead to Carol City," said
Adrian Lopez, the program's director.

DFYIT had documented 270,000 community service hours thus far, Lopez said.

"It's open to anyone who wants to be in it and volunteer some time
for a good cause," he said.

Since 1985, the annual Red Ribbon Week has been sponsored by Informed
Families nationwide and Trust Counselors in school's across
Miami-Dade County get everyone involved.

A long list of schools including Fienberg Fisher, Oak Grove, Bunche
Park, Carol City, Melrose, Benjamin Franklin, Flagler, Tina Crowder,
Sunset Park, Leisure City K-8 Center, and Pine Lakes elementary
schools traveled to the rally.

Johnny Regan, founder of Vision:Miami, which brings together the
business, artistic and cultural communities of South Florida, had the
students screaming out what their vision was for the future.

"I want to be a vet!" shouted one student. "I want to be a singer!"
yelled another, as one by one Regan asked the students about their vision.

"They get it; these kids know what their vision is," said Regan.
"Having one keeps you on track because you don't have time for
anything else, especially drugs."

Landy Joseph, a student at Miami Edison Senior High, knows how hard
it is to stay off drugs and how she can help others do the same.

"It's real hard to stay drug-free when people don't accept no as an
answer," said the 16-year-old clarinet section leader.