RED RIBBON WEEK OCT. 23-31

Alva Schools Will Be Honoring National Red Ribbon October 23 - 31.

Red Ribbon Week began in 1985 after the death of Enrique "Kiki" Camerana, a
Drug Enforcement Agent, who was close to uncovering the identities of key
members of a Mexican drug cartel.

Angered by his death and the destruction caused by drugs and alcohol in
America, those in his hometown of Calexico, Calif., began wearing red
ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to fight the illegal use of drugs.

Today, the Red Ribbon has become a symbol for drug, alcohol and tobacco
abuse prevention all across America. National Red Ribbon Week is celebrated
annually from Oct. 23 - Oct. 31.

Students in Alva, Burlington, Cherokee, Freedom and Waynoka schools have
materials donated for their observation of Red Ribbon Week.

Each year the Alva Elks Lodge. No. 1184 supplies a wealth of printed
material for drug education programs as well as litter bags, bookmarks,
coloring books, poster paper and stickers. All area students will have red
cloth ribbons.

Woods County Family and Community Education (FCE) and Alva Schools purchase
the red ribbons inscribed with "I'm Drug Free and Proud" and the American
flag. Alva students will also receive pencils with the logo "Goldbugs Power
Up Drug Free."

Students attending Washington, Longfellow and Lincoln are asked to keep the
ribbons at school to wear the entire Red Ribbon Week. Each day a
commemorative item will be given.

In addition the students are asked to wear red clothing on Wednesday and
black and gold on Friday.

Monday, Oct. 31, is the final day of Red Ribbon Week. The children may wear
their ribbons home on their Halloween costumes to say "Boo" to drugs.

Alva Elementary School Counselor Brenda Dixon asks parents to take this
opportunity to encourage youth to make good choices concerning all
medicines and drugs.

"Talk with your child(ren) to help work through childhood questions and
fears," Dixon said. "Remember, adults set the example so join the yearly
promotion of Red Ribbon Week to symbolize commitment to the fight of
illegal use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco."