SCHOOLS SEEING RED

Students at Cullins-Lake Pointe Elementary School were given red ribbons
last Monday and were encouraged to wear them throughout the week.

In addition, each day of the week was given a special theme to bring
attention to the issue.

The schedule included "Team up against drugs" on Monday with sports themes,
"United we stand for a drug free land" on Tuesday with patriotic colors,
"Wear red day on Wednesday and "Living drug free is no sweat" today
allowing students to wear sweats to school.

Tomorrow's theme is appropriate for the coming holiday - "Say boo to
drugs," giving students a chance to wear the colors of the season or a
special Halloween shirt.

Coyle and Sachse middle schools followed a similar format, substituting
different themes for each day.

Both celebrated "United we stand for a drug free land" on Monday and
encouraged students to wear red, white and blue and "Too bright to do
drugs" on Wednesday, giving students a chance to wear the brightest clothes
in their closets and sunglasses to school.

Another shared theme was "Team up against drugs" celebrated at Sachse on
Tuesday and Coyle today. To show support on this day, students were asked
to dress like a friend.

Other celebrated themes included "Drugs are tacky," "Put a cap on drugs,"
"Being drug free comes in cans - I can, you can, we can" and "Drugs are
nothing to snicker about."

Friday is the culmination of both programs with a canned food drive at
Schrade and free Snickers candy bars being passed out in the lunchroom at
Coyle.

The program was first established in 1986, one year after the murder of
U.S. Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, who was kidnapped and
murdered while investigating a drug gang in Mexico.

Residents in California, closest to the case began wearing red ribbons to
show their support against the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco and other
drugs. The movement spread from there to every state in the nation.

"The Red Ribbon campaign has evolved into a comprehensive drug abuse
prevention program, symbolizing the commitment of citizens fighting to
eliminate substance abuse in their communities," said Officer John Johnson
with the Rowlett Police Department. "It has been embraced by communities
nationwide to adopt intolerance for the unlawful use of drugs. The
long-term goal is to develop a healthy substance-free lifestyle as a
community standard."

Although the city of Rowlett has signed a proclamation in support of Red
Ribbon Week and several of the schools in the city have planned activities
similar to those at Cullins, Coyle and Schrade, Johnson said he would like
to see the community become more involved in future Red Ribbon Week events.

For more information about Red Ribbon Week, call Officer John Johnson at
972-XXX-XXXX.