Schools follow fun themes in observing drug-free messages for Red Ribbon Week

MADISON – Madison City Schools observed National Red Ribbon Week on Oct. 27-31 to encourage youth to refuse illicit drugs in their lifestyle.

Red Ribbon Week was founded after the murder of Enrique Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Agency agent, who was tortured and killed in Mexico in 1985. To honor his memory, Camarena’s friends and neighbors remembered his work for others by wearing red badges of satin.

With Camarena as their model, parents formed coalitions because of misery from their children’s destruction from alcohol and other drugs. The coalitions embraced Camarena’s belief that one person can make a difference and adopted the symbol of a red ribbon in Camarena’s memory.

In 1988, the National Family Partnership sponsored the first National Red Ribbon Campaign. Today, the Red Ribbon serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities and reaches millions of U.S. children and families.

Madison observed Red Ribbon Week from Oct. 27 through 31.

At Columbia Elementary School, Red Ribbon Week started with students “RED-y” to make healthy choices, so the Astros (school mascot) wore red clothing to class. On Oct. 27, Columbia students ‘cozied up’ with healthy choices with their comfortable clothes . . . even pajamas, according to Columbia’s Facebook page.

On Oct. 29, Columbia students ‘used their heads’ and showed off their favorite hats. To “Team Up Against Drugs,” Columbia’s population sported their favorite team’s T-shirt, jersey or gear to show their Astro spirit.

Heritage Elementary School promoted a safe and healthy environment that emphasizes drug-free choices. On Oct. 27, students started Red Ribbon Week by wearing red to show that they’re proud to be drug-free. The next day, they followed a Hawaiian theme to “lei off drugs.” Some wore floral leis, and everyone spread island vibes to say, “Aloha,” to drugs, according to Facebook.

Also during the week, Heritage proclaimed “Drugs Are Tacky” by dressing in mismatched, disheveled clothes. Students wore Disney-themed clothing to “Make Magic – Not Mistakes” (as in the ‘Magic Kingdom’). On Halloween day, they had permission to wear their Halloween costumes to scare off drugs.

Mill Creek Elementary School applied a weekly theme: “Globetrotting to Greatness.”

Other MCS campuses observed Red Ribbon Week with clever ideas”: “Stay on Course, Don’t Flip” — Students dressed like teachers, and teachers dressed like students; “Work Out Your Choices’ – Students dressed in exercise garb, like they were on the way to the fitness center; and “Follow Your Dreams” by wearing pajamas.

For more information, visit redribbon. org/about.