AWARENESS RIBBONS REINFORCE SCHOOLS' WAR AGAINST DRUGS

JACKSON COUNTY - Every K-12 student in Jackson County received a red
ribbon last week as part of National Red Ribbon Week, which is the
largest drug prevention event in America.

Singing River Services Prevention Department passed out more than
3,000 red ribbons with the phrase "Drug Free 24/7 - 365."

National Red Ribbon Week was a campaign started when drug traffickers
in Mexico City murdered Kiki Camarena, a DEA agent, in 1985. The
continuing tradition of wearing red ribbons symbolizes the
intolerance towards the use of drugs and to present a unified
commitment toward a drug-free America.

"This is a concrete reinforcement that we are at war against drugs
and the future of our children depends on our constant attention to
preventing drug use," said Dr. Sherman F. Blackwell, director of
Singing River Services.

Sherman and department employees are personally going to every school
in the county passing out the ribbons to the students to show their
support on the fight against drug abuse.

"The prevention department at Singing River Services takes an active
role in educating the schools in Jackson County about drug abuse
throughout the year," said Nadine Wilson, prevention specialist.

During National Red Ribbon Week, every school in the county will put
on plays, display art projects and have special hat, sock and shirt
days to promote the fight against drugs.

For more information about drug awareness programs and National Red
Ribbon Week visit www.ncada-stl.org or call 474-3399.