Red Ribbon Week

As an educator, Red Ribbon Week is something that I teach each year.  I was actually the Just Say No President of my Junior High School in 1990 and had to help organize a huge rally in honor of this week of awareness.  Not many know the history behind this significant week.

A Brief History of Red Ribbon Week

 

Red Ribbon Week began after the kidnapping, torture and brutal murder of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena in 1985. Agent Camarena had been working undercover in Guadalajara, Mexico for over four years. His efforts led to a tip that resulted in the discovery of a multimillion dollar narcotics manufacturing operation in Chihuahua, Mexico. The successful eradication of this and other drug production operations angered leaders of several drug cartels who sought revenge. As a result, they murdered key informants and then, on February 7, 1985, they kidnapped Agent Camarena and his pilot Captain Alfredo Zavala-Avelar (taken separately on the same day). In Agent Camarena's home town, Calexico, CA, the public outpouring of support turned in to an organized community response in which citizens wore red ribbons. They became a voice for prevention in order to reduce the demand for illegal drugs and illegal use of legal drugs in America. The following year the California State PTA adopted the Red Ribbon Week campaign. Then, in 1988, Red Ribbon Week was recognized nationally with President Ronald and First Lady Nancy Reagan serving as the first Honorary Chairs. Today, the Red Ribbon Week brings millions of people together to raise awareness regarding the need for alcohol, tobacco and other drug and violence prevention, early intervention, and treatment services. It is the largest, most visible prevention awareness campaign observed annually in the United States. ********************************************************************************** There are many activities that can be done at every grade level in order to teach and learn about drug and alcohol prevention.  At my school, we participate in a poster contest in honor of Red Ribbon Week.  Here are some ideas for themes for poster or door decorations: "Doing drugs will haunt you for life" slogan with a haunted house and ghosts...write "say no to drugs" on the ghosts "Be a hero, not a zero" with student drawings of their heroes "Don't close the door to your future...say no to drugs" with doors all over the door! "Drugs are SPOOKY!" "I'm too cool for drugs" with snowmen and the students' writing of what they would rather be doing than drugs "Say Boo to Drugs!" "Stomp Out Drugs"-either trace around shoes and decorate inside or make a print of shoes with paint.  "Who chooses to be drug free? Can you pick the "right" door?" You can have two doors, one on the left and the other on the right. The door on the left didn't open. The door on the right opened and there was a mirror inside with the word "ME" "Thumbs Down to Drugs" or "Thumbs Up For a Drug Free Life"-using an ink pad, put thumbprints.  "Room 12 Leaves Drugs Alone" have a fall tree with leaves and the students' names on them. I won't tell you about the theme of my classroom's poster this year...after all, it IS a contest!!  I'll share next week when we present it! Alexis