RED RIBBON WEEK IN FULL SWING

PRINCETON - A week of drug awareness, prevention and red ribbons
kicked off Monday in Gibson County.

Red Ribbon Week is a week that promotes drug prevention. Hill said he
believed this is the 16th year for Red Ribbon Week in Gibson County.

"It sends a positive message to kids that there are other things to
do besides that," said Jeff Hill, a deputy with the sheriff's
department and Drug Awareness Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) officer.

Hill said the county's drug problem is probably the No. 1 topic of
discussion in the county.

Gibson County's Red Ribbon Week actually extends longer than just a
week. Hill said the last part of October is usually set aside in the
schools for drug education and prevention.

Hill said the schools usually send the sheriff's department a list of
activities they are planning in conjunction with being drug free. And
all the activities can't fit into one week, he added.

One of the highlights of Red Ribbon Week is the Red Ribbon Rally at
Princeton Community Middle School.

Hill said fifth and sixth graders from county schools converge at
PCMS for a drug prevention program. As a way of hyping the rally,
Hill said local law enforcement officers will provide students with a
police escort from their schools to PCMS.

"We want to make it a big deal for them," Hill said.

Other Red Ribbon Week Events include:

- - Gibson County Commissioners will sign a Red Ribbon Proclamation at
9 a.m. Oct. 17

- - Red Ribbon Rally at PCMS at 9 a.m. Oct. 18

- - South Gibson Middle School Dance at Fort Branch Community School Oct. 19

- - Sts. Peter and Paul Red Ribbon Parade at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 20

- - Boy Scouts will tie Red Ribbons on vehicles at area businesses Oct.
21 and 28.

- - Senior Citizens Party Oct. 23

- - GCARC Halloween Dance Oct. 27