HELICOPTER SPREADS ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE

Talk about bringing in the brigade.

It's not enough to just tell kids not to do drugs. It takes a
helicopter, the military, a federal agent, a professional sport team's
mascot and cheerleaders to send the message.

That group showed up at Greeley school's Thursday to promote Red
Ribbon Week, a national anti-drug school campaign.

Soldiers from the Colorado National Guard's Counter-Drug Program,
accompanied by a special agent from the Drug Enforcement Agency, two
Denver Nugget dancers and Edson the Eagle, the mascot for the Colorado
Rapids, briefly spoke to students about the importance of staying off
all drugs, including alcohol and cigarettes.

About 2 p.m., Frontier Academy secondary students were treated to the
unannounced visit when the Army helicopter landed on campus, 6530 16th
St.

The Vietnam-era Bell OH-58 helicopter circled the school as students
were outside for a "surprise" before touching ground.

Sgt. Michael Gibson and Capt. Ryan Brack asked students what they
wanted to be when they grew up.

Students answered with careers such as a veterinarian, doctor, soccer
player, a marine.

"Doing drugs will only prevent you from achieving these," Brack
said.

The group visited schools in Greeley, Windsor and Loveland on
Thursday.

"It's not up to us or your parents or teachers, to make that choice,
it's up to you," said Gibson.

The trip was made in part because of one student, Zach Bondurant,
12.

Zach, who is in the Young Marines program, told Principal Mary
Meersman about the program, and she contacted the National Guard.

Gibson said during the month, he visits about 75 schools across the
state.

For some students, the highlight of the visit was the
helicopter.

"It was awesome, because it's a helicopter and helicopters are
awesome," said Zach Glynn, 12.

Unsurprisingly, for some middle school boys, it was the
dancers.

One lucky student, Louis Morales, 12, got a photo with the
ladies.

"It was awesome, especially because of the cheerleaders," Louis said.
"We have a lot of homework so we are in class a lot so it was nice to
get out of class for a bit."

About Red Ribbon Week

Recognized as a national program in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan,
Red Ribbon Week brings millions of people together to raise awareness
regarding the need for alcohol, tobacco and other drug and violence
prevention, early intervention, and treatment services. It is the
largest, most visible prevention-awareness campaign observed annually
in the United States, according to the group's Web site. More than 70
million students, teachers and community members participate.

Source: www.redribboncoalition.com