WEEK STRESSES FUN-FILLED, DRUG-, ALCOHOL-FREE ACTIVITIES

Before you even got near the gymnasium, you could hear the
screams.

Students at Simmons Middle School were taking part in some pretty
heated scooter races last week, and judging by the volume level, it
was clear they were having fun.

According to Kristi Spitzer, that was precisely the point of a week of
fun-filled events that also included pumpkin bowling.

"What we're trying to get across to kids is they can have fun doing .
. . things" that don't involve drugs or alcohol, said Spitzer, who is
a prevention resource specialist at Aberdeen's two public middle
schools through Prairie View Prevention Services, Inc. "The ultimate
high sometimes is having fun with friends."

The events at Simmons - and also at Holgate Middle School and Roncalli
Junior High - were part of Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 25-29.

Red Ribbon Week is in honor of Drug Enforcement Administration Special
Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, who was murdered by drug traffickers,
according to a Web site regarding 2004's Red Ribbon Week. His death
spawned a movement of wearing red ribbons to show a commitment to a
drug-free lifestyle, according to www.health.org

/redribbon/default.aspx.

Last week at the three Hub City schools, there were prizes, dress-up
days, activities, and, of course, red ribbons.

Kids also built a "wall against drugs."

On the wall, each student signed a paper "brick" committing to attempt
to be drug free. They also wrote down an activity they enjoyed as an
alternative to drugs and alcohol. At Simmons, these included shopping,
sports, going to the movies and reading a book.

As a banner on the wall put it: "We've got better things to do than
drugs."

The kids definitely seemed to be responding to the
efforts.

"Don't do drugs!" exclaimed Alex Reich, 14, after a competitive
scooter race.

But of course, the fight against drugs and alcohol isn't limited to
one week. The more things adults can do to keep reminding kids they
have a choice, Spitzer said, the better.

"There are a lot of alternatives to drugs and alcohol."