Red Ribbon Week

Illegal drug use is at its highest level in 10 years, imperiling the
safety, welfare and very lives of the children of North Texas. Our
community must support the prevention of drug abuse and promote healthy,
drug-free lifestyles in our schools, neighborhoods, state and nation.

This week is Red Ribbon week, a national effort to increase awareness of
the growing problem of drug abuse. Through school presentations and other
community activities, this campaign seeks to alert our young people to the
deadly effects of drug abuse and to promote safe schools. I applaud
parents, teachers, students, community leaders and law enforcement who have
been demonstrating their involvement in this week's activities by wearing a
red ribbon, sending a clear and resounding message that substance abuse
will not be tolerated.

Children need the support of their families, teachers and communities to
resist the peer pressure to use illegal drugs. In 1997, onequarter of the
elementary school students in Texas used some type of drug, such as
tobacco, alcohol, marijuana or inhalants. That's an alarming statistic.
Drug abuse by children is a serious problem we've got to resolve.

As an advocate for education and a member of the House Committee on
Education and the Workforce, I am committed to promoting Red Ribbon Week
and antidrug education in our state and the nation.

SAM JOHNSON, Member of Congress, 3rd District, Plano