ROCKIN' FOR RED RIBBON

Artists spread the word about drug prevention at Victor Valley High School

VICTORVILLE -- Many High Desert teens spent Saturday afternoon getting
their groove on while learning the importance of living drug-free
during the Red Ribbon Week celebration at Victor Valley High School.

"We came to show our support for the cause but stayed because the
music is so hot," Kylie Monroe said.

Monroe, 18, a student at Victor Valley Community College, brought her
13-year-old sister and several of their friends to the event.

"We have a lot of family that ruined their lives after choosing to
make drugs a part of it," Monroe said. "Nothing positive comes from
choosing that lifestyle."

National Red Ribbon Week events will continue to Oct. 31, with
students, parents, teachers, service clubs and hundreds of
organizations throughout the United States promoting the importance of
a drug-free lifestyle.

Professional bands and various musical artists donated their time and
talent for the cause in an effort to spread the drug-free message.

The hybrid rock band Seven-40-Seven brought their alternative
punk-rockabilly style out from Los Angeles.

Sibling guitarists Daniel and Tino Franco said they have witnessed the
devastation drugs have on a family. Daniel Franco said he had to
resuscitate another brother after an overdose.

"So we do everything we can do to spread the word about prevention,"
Tino Franco said.

He said the destruction drugs have had on their family fuels the
inspiration for many of the band's songs.

"We've really developed a bad taste in our minds for drugs, so we're
glad we were asked to be a part of this," Tino Franco said.

Stardust 910-AM personality Steve Elliott was the event's master of
ceremonies.

He said he has also experienced the life-shattering effects drugs have
on families.

Elliott said that six years ago his only son died after a drug
overdose.

"After seven stays in rehab to save his life, he killed himself with a
double overdose of heroine," Elliott said.

Since then, Elliott said spreading the anti-drug message has become
one of his missions in life.

Other entertainers included the alternative rock band Dizzylilacs and
Justified.

"My music is more than just music. I'm trying to do something
positive," Justified's vocal artist Scott Smith said.

Many in the crowd agreed that having top-shelf artists spreading the
drug-free message is what made the event cool.

"You've got these killer rockers and rappers down there saying drugs
are for losers," Jason Hayton of Hesperia said. "How can any of us
disagree? Those guys have actually done something cool with their lives."

Event coordinator Rhonda Morken said that this is the first event held
in the High Desert of such caliber, but she hopes it won't be the
last. She said she would like to see the event get even bigger and
better next year.