RED RIBBON WEEK MARKS DRUG-FREE CAMPAIGN

Drug Enforcement Agency talked to McKamy Middle School children about their
jobs fighting the war against drugs, their use of the helicopter, and the
importance of education.

School Resource Officer for Carrollton Creekview High School, Cole
Langston, explained that Red Ribbon Week was created in memory of a DEA
Agent who did undercover work in Mexico.

"He was discovered and then kidnapped and murdered by five men," Langston
said. "Red Ribbon Week was created as a memory to him and for the work he did."

The campaign, conducted the last week in October every year, has expanded
its focus to alcohol and tobacco as well, Langston said.

Schools from around the community have found various ways to celebrate
drug-free week.

Many LISD schools have theme days, such as "Hugs not Drugs" or "Sock it to
drugs" where students get to bring a stuffed bear to school or wear crazy
mix-matched socks. Pledge cards are distributed to every student along with
some form of "red ribbon," be it a satin ribbon, a wrist band, or some
other means of an indication that "drug free is the way to be."

To raise awareness, schools such as Ethridge Elementary in The Colony have
signed large drug-free pledge sheets or have sponsored drug awareness
poster contests such as Griffin Middle School and Peters Colony Elementary,
both in The Colony.

Other schools have launched classroom competitions like door decorating at
McKamy Middle School in Flower Mound. Since this is a week dedicated to
promoting life without drugs, many schools have fund-raisers supporting
special programs. For example, McKamy Middle School is having a "Drugs
Don't Make Cents" fund-raiser, which will benefit the Betty Ford Metroplex
Children's Program, a program dedicated to assisting victims of juvenile
drug abuse.

As many schools throughout the state celebrate Red Ribbon Week, the values
of a drug-free community, is the underlying message in all Red Ribbon Week
activities.