CHANNEL ONE SCHEDULES PREVENTION PROGRAMS

CENTRAL FALLS -- Once again Channel One-Central Falls is sponsoring
anti-drug activities and programs during the last week of October in
conjunction with the National Red Ribbon Week campaign.

The city's "substance abuse prevention and youth development
department," Channel One had received federal funding to launch its
own school-based, week-long drug abuse prevention program, according
to Prevention Coordinator Ana Soares.

"We want kids and teachers to show everyone that they are drug-free
and that they are taking a stand against drugs and alcohol," said
Soares. "Our kids are great and they always step up during this week
to be proud that they say no to drugs and yes to so many other great
things."

As usual, students and faculty at the high school received red ribbons
at the beginning of the week, and their counterparts across the
district received wristbands bearing anti-drug messages.

But the role of Red Ribbon Week goes well beyond symbolism.

Throughout the week, speakers from the Providence-based substance
abuse prevention outfit Map Outreach Program and AIDS Project R.I.
will visit the high school, proffering constructive lifestyle
alternatives and telling cautionary tails about the behavioral links
between drug use and HIV infection.

Informational tables will be set up in the high school lunch room and
posters promoting a "drug-free workplace" will be disseminated
throughout the city's municipal buildings.

A classroom door decoration contest will be held in the city's four
elementary schools, said Soares.

Here, students will be asked to work together to create a beautifully
decorated door with an anti-drug message. Finalists from all four
schools will win a class pizza party and the winner will receive movie
tickets.

Pawtucket House of Pizza, Olly's Pizza and Ronzio Pizza have agreed to
donate the pizza.

"Since we have a tight budget to do this event, we went to local pizza
parlors, requesting their support and we are really happy with the
responses we have been getting," Soares said.

Because of standardized testing, Soares said the judging will be
deferred to Nov. 1.

National Red Ribbon Week was established to honor the life and death
of Enrique Camarena, a federal Drug Enforcement Administration
undercover agent who was tortured and murdered by members of a drug
cartel in 1985.

In 1988, Red Ribbon Week became a national celebration, and the red
ribbon a symbol of the healthy, drug-free lifestyle.