TUG OF WAR

Stomp out drugs.

Stomp out drugs.

This mantra could be heard echoing through the halls of Jefferson
Early Childhood Center Wednesday as dozens of pre-kindergarten
students paraded through the school with red ribbons in their hands.

Jefferson Principal Karla Brock says it's important to get children
involved in drug prevention and awareness programs at an early age.

To Brock, the earlier Jefferson teachers can start teaching students
about safety and taking care of their health the better.

One way is to participate in Red Ribbon Week.

"It was Red Day, so we had all of the children wear red in support of
Red Ribbon Week," Brock said. "Everybody got red ribbons and red
bracelets, then we had a parade to stomp out drugs. Guest speakers
don't really work when you're 4 years old.

"We have to be active and dress the part."

However, the weather forced a change in the plan.

"We were going to parade outside in the area around the school,"
Brock said. "When it started raining I was worried it wasn't going to
go well at all. But I think it really worked out. I think everybody
had a good time and hopefully learned something too."

Colton Foote, 4, said he had fun marching and waving his ribbon. He
also had some things to say about drug abuse.

"I would say no. Drugs are bad," Foote said. "We have to stomp out
drugs or they'll stomp us."

Brock said small children often have trouble understanding drugs or
drug abuse. Which is why, at such an early age, the program isn't
very in depth. It's mainly to get them prepared for more prevention
programs as they go through school.

"This is a tough concept with us. Hopefully, at this age, none of us
have seen a whole lot of drugs," Brock said. "Many of the children
are confused because there are good drugs, like the parents or the
doctor give them, or bad drugs. They are pretty innocent at this age."

Sandra Miles, Jefferson Head Start Director, said the Red Ribbon
activities are practiced nationwide. It's even become part of the
official curriculum. She said the event seems to genuinely reach the students.

"They do take this info home," Miles said. "Parents tell us they take
it home and ask them questions about drugs. So they are becoming
aware that they need to stay away drugs."