'WHEN YOU TAKE DRUGS, YOU LOSE ALL YOUR ENERGY'

When Bryson Fowler was 8 years old, he encouraged his 19-year-old
cousin to stop smoking cigarettes and cigars, because it was damaging
the teen's health.

"My cousin almost died because he was coughing, and he collapsed,"
said Fowler, now 10. "When you take drugs, you lose all your energy."

Fowler, a fifth-grader at Jesse Bobo Elementary, learned the
importance of saying no to drugs at a young age through his school's
participation in Red Ribbon Week.

Beginning this past Sunday and ending Oct. 29, local elementary,
middle and high schools are taking the time to stress the importance
of saying no to drugs and alcohol.

Just Say No

"It's a way of reinforcing positive, healthy activities for your
kids," said Lennetta Gray-Brewton, executive director of the Health
Resource Center, a nonprofit library that provides drug prevention
materials aimed at youth and parents.

"There's never an age that's too young to teach children about the
dangers of drugs and alcohol," Gray-Brewton said.

Red Ribbon Week became recognized nationally in 1988. In honor of
slain California narcotics officer Enrique "Kiki" Camarena and his
battle against illegal drugs, friends and neighbors began to wear red
badges of satin.

That symbol of living a drug-free life has been adopted by millions
of youths around the country, and thousands of schools celebrate the
week by hosting guest speakers, wearing red clothes and hosting
special events to prompt awareness.

O.P. Earle Elementary students performed a skit about being drug-free
Monday morning, and Cannons Elementary hosted a school-wide parade
complete with Broome High band, cheerleaders, and JROTC members.

Since this year's Red Ribbon Week theme is "Treasure your good
health," all of the Cannons students wore beads and black pirate
hats. Some even wore eye patches.

Fun With A Message

"We had a lot of fun with it," Cannons principal Karen Grimm said.
"So many of them came dressed up and excited and I think they got the
message -- to treasure your good health."

Jesse Bobo has several events scheduled this week, including a
step-team performance by fifth-graders on Friday, and an
inspirational speech by Bryan Splawn, a former Bobo student who is
now a Wofford College chemistry professor.

"Red Ribbon Week is important so kids can make the choice to be
drug-free now and not later," said 10-year-old Maddie Monroe, a Jesse
Bobo student.

"I'll carry my message up into middle school, because there might be
other boys trying to get me to smoke or drink," said Bobo
fifth-grader Brion Floyd. "I'll tell them 'you may pass out and won't
wake up, and you won't see what your future will be or where your
education can take you.' "