Students say no to drugs by saying yes to Red Ribbon Week

Local schools commemorate the annual event in a variety of ways.

HUNTINGTON BEACH Thousands of enthusiastic, red ribbonwearing tykes and
teens here and in Fountain Valley dared to say "no" to drugs this week as
part of a growing, statewide antidrugandtobacco campaign.

The Red Ribbon Week celebration began more than a decade ago to commemorate
the efforts of Drug Enforcement Administration agent Enrique Camerena, who
was murdered by drug traffickers in Mexico in 1985.

This time each year, the California Department of Education mails tens of
thousands of red ribbons and wristbands to school districts throughout the
state.

The idea, organizers said, is to establish a bright, visible symbol that
unifies students and adults in the fight against illegal drugs and tobacco
use.

"This was all about a commemoration to Enrique and what he tried to do for
drug prevention," said Gail Clark, coordinator of student services in the
Fountain Valley School District. "We always try to go back to that."

Clark said she has seen Red Ribbon Week grow significantly from
yeartoyear because of heightened parent interest and community
involvement. Often, parents at each school site plan multiple events for
their school.

"I'm pretty wigged out right now," said Moiola School parent Kristie Hull,
who planned several events for her child's school, including arranging a
police helicopter flying over 550 kids positioned to spell out an antidrug
message.

Clark said school district officials encourage parent involvement because
"when the parents get involved, it makes it a bigger and better event
because it really becomes a community effort."

Huntington Beach City School District administrator Don Pate, who organizes
the district's antidrug and tobacco education programs, said Red Ribbon
Week "is the most participatedin event of the year in this district."

A sampling of Red Ribbon Week events held here and in Fountain Valley in
recent days.

Huntington Beach City School District

SMITH ELEMENTARY
Several hundred Smith students entered a unique posterdrawing contest
where they were encouraged to take their posters home and place them in the
windows of their houses. A "prize patrol" consisting of teachers and
parents cruised neighboring housing tracts, and distributed prizes to
students whose antidrug artwork was visible from the street.

SOWERS MIDDLE SCHOOL
More than 200 students at Sowers signed an oversized pledge, promising they
would not use drugs and tobacco, and mailed the pledge to Gov. Pete
Wilson's office. The project was initiated by a Sowers health teacher.
Fountain Valley School District

MOIOLA SCHOOL
All 550 redwearing students at Moiola School stood on chalk lines drawn on
the school's athletic field and spelled out "Drug Free, That's Me!" for a
police helicopter that hovered above. A Moiola parent, who is also a Costa
Mesa police officer, volunteered to help arrange the helicopter flyby.

COX ELEMENTARY
Students at Cox were asked to find ways to dress creatively with the red
ribbon antidrug theme. A child was picked from each classroom, and judged
by the school's D.A.R.E. officer. One little girl donned a red Tshirt, red
skirt, red ribbons tied around her red socks, red ribbons in her ponytails,
red visor, painted red checks, red lips, red wristbands, and had a small
red ribbon pinned to her red shirt. Ocean View School District

CIRCLE VIEW ELEMENTARY
A "We're Not Suckers For Drugs" sucker sale was held at Circle View this
week, the proceeds of which will go to the school's student council.
Children who wore red were awarded with red licorice. A neighboring store
rewarded red wristbandwearing students with free ice cream after
school, of course.

COLLEGE VIEW ELEMENTARY
A local magician took to the stage with his antidrug and antitobacco
message, and entertained two schoolwide assemblies with his "Say No Magic
Show." A PTA parent who schedules student assemblies booked the act.
Students sang antidrug songs and composed essays and were judged and
received prizes for their efforts. Huntington Beach Union High School
District

EDISON HIGH
Red ribbons decorated the Huntington Beach campus' Magnolia Street
boundary, and daily public announcements from the school's oncampus
"StopIn" antidrug dependency center encouraged kids to keep off drugs,
tobacco and alcohol. About 30 antidrug posters designed by students
decorated the campus.

VALLEY VISTA HIGH
Red ribbonwearing students at Valley Vista High were treated to a
slideshow and video presentation about the dangers of driving under the
influence of drugs and alcohol, presented by a Fountain Valley motorcycle
police officer.

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