WE MUST DISCUSS THE DEATH AND RUIN CAUSED BY DRUGS

Drugs are killing many of our kids. And ruining the lives of many,
many others. Only through constant education can we make a difference.

So today we launch our second annual Red Ribbon Week, an initiative
that, along with our daily coverage of the war against drug abuse, is
one of the most important things we do.

We plan to continue this effort for many years to come because we long
for a day when our kids can have drug-free lives!

We had a very successful Red Ribbon Week last year. This year we have
set even more ambitious news goals and plan to involve a greater
number of schools.

With the help of our corporate sponsors, we will be sending more than
25,000 newspapers a day for five straight days to schools in the six
Coast counties of South Mississippi. One of the managers responsible
for the distribution of those newspapers to the schools referred to
this as a massive undertaking. But then, drug abuse is a massive problem.

Those newspapers will reflect a year's worth of preparation by members
of our news staff, who have been working closely with a 20-member
advisory panel of experts from law enforcement, drug centers, school
administrators and counselors, parents and teens.

Many of this week's articles will focus on alcohol abuse, marijuana
and methamphetamines. But equally important, there will also be
articles that highlight positive alternatives for kids, especially for
'tweens (12- to 16-year-olds). I am particularly encouraged about this
part of the series. We must never forget how many kids successfully
stay away from drugs.

Still, there are parts of the series that will be difficult to
read.

But I encourage every one of our readers to face this issue head
on.

To the children who have successfully remained drug-free, I
congratulate you. And also challenge you to share your success with
your friends.

Supporting one another, your generation can pursue your dreams
drug-free and prove to other generations - older as well as younger -
that they too can do the same.

So please, take a minute... make a difference!