The war on drugs will never be over. In an effort to prevent youth from using drugs, Alma J. Brown Elementary School hosted its annual Red Ribbon Week to educate students on the importance on being drug-free.
The week concluded with a ready-to-be-drug-free pep rally on the courtyard at Friday, Nov. 1 at 1 p.m. that included the GSU Laboratory High School’s band and cheerleaders.
“It’s so important, especially nowadays-you look on TV., the social networks and they have all of these designer drugs and education is the key,” said fifth grade teacher Victoria Kent, who is also the spokesperson for the committee that organized the pep rally. “If we don’t teach them now the importance of staying away from different fads and pretty drugs out there, they’ll be lost.”
Each class participated in the pep rally. Some came up with chants, cheers and dance routines, all in an effort to have fun being drug free.
Red Ribbon Week included: Monday, Oct. 28, student’s wore their favorite team jersey to team up against drugs; Tuesday, Oct 29, students wore neon shirts to show that they are to bright for drugs; Wednesday, Oct. 30, students matched with a friend representing the slogan “I can you can we can be drug free”; and on Thursday, Oct. 31, students wore their favorite costume to scare drugs away.
After a chain of informative events hosted by Alma J. Brown Elementary, the students now know and understand the significance of being drug free.
“Being drug free can keep you from dying,” said 10-year-old fifth-grader Kamille Patton. “Lots of people die from drugs. You can save your life by staying away from drugs, including pills.”
Recreational usage of drugs by teens isn’t the only concern in today’s society; the abuse of prescription drugs have also become problematic.
According to recent research done by The Partnership at Drugfree.org and MetLife Foundation, one in four teens has misused or abused a prescription drug at least once in their lifetime – a 33 percent increase over the past five years.
Patton also understands that being hooked on drugs could alter your future.
“It’s important that you stay away from drugs because if you are drug free, you can have a better life. You could be whatever you want. You could be a lawyer, you could be a nurse or you could be a doctor.”
Jace Mooris, a 9-year-old fourth-grader, agreed with Patton on the notion that staying away from drugs would ensure a brighter future.
“Being drug free means I wouldn’t have to live in the streets,” Mooris said.