RED RIBBON WEEK NOTES

We watched Tuesday morning as Mayor Jim Petitjean exhorted the Head
Start pre-schoolers spread out in front of him in City Hall.

We wish the message of No Drugs that he and others like Principal
Verelda Girouard exclaimed to her pre-k and kindergarten students last
Friday would really take hold.

It's a simple, straight forward message to stay away from illegal
drugs. It's not complicated.

But the message, regrettably, faces an uphill battle. Some parents and
family don't care enough to drive the message home to their children.
Parents are the best teachers for their children. They should never
relinquish their responsibility to the school or churches. Schools,
churches and the community as a whole can re-enforce the message, but
just like learning good manners and respect for your elders begin in
the home, the message of right and wrong begins with the first loving
words of discipline.

A young mother or father will protect a child from poisons, matches,
knives and other dangerous objects and caution with a gentle "No" or
stiffer warning. The same loving concern should be exerted when it
comes to drugs.

A recent TV commercial portrays Mom as the "Enforcer" and the best
anti-drug weapon. Do the following phases of motherhood sound
familiar? 4 YEARS OF AGE ~ My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE ~ My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot! 12 YEARS OF AGE ~ My
Mother doesn't really know quite everything. 14 YEARS OF AGE ~
Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either. 16 YEARS OF AGE ~ Mother?
She's hopelessly old-fashioned. 18 YEARS OF AGE ~ That old woman?
She's way out of date! 25 YEARS OF AGE ~ Well, she might know a little
bit about it. 35 YEARS OF AGE ~ Before we decide, let's get Mom's
opinion. 45 YEARS OF AGE ~ Wonder what Mom would have thought about
it? 65 YEARS OF AGE ~ Wish I could talk it over with Mom.