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Join beFree Project in Celebrating Red Ribbon Week!
October 27, 2008 — Hopkinton’s beFREE! Project and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) chapter are joining with the Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Family Partnership (NFP) to promote Red Ribbon Week. Red Ribbon Week, which takes place October 23-31, is an opportunity to bring parents, schools, businesses, and others together to help create a drug free community. This year’s Red Ribbon Week theme – The Red Badge of Courage- is a reminder for youth to resist alcohol, drug and tobacco use in their lives and communities. It is also a reminder to parents and other adults in the community of the important role they play in youth substance abuse prevention.
There are six proven strategies for parents to help children and adolescents avoid alcohol and drugs: • Establish and maintain good communication with your child. • Get involved and stay involved in your child’s life. • Make clear rules and enforce them with consistency and appropriate consequences. • Be a positive role model. Do not use illicit drugs or abuse alcohol. If you smoke, make plans to stop. • Teach your child to choose friends wisely. • Monitor your child’s activities—know what your children are doing, where, and with whom.
Red Ribbon Week draws its roots from the death of Enrique Camarena, an
agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement
The SADD club at Hopkinton High School, led by faculty advisor Stacey Place and student president Courtney Onofrio, is planning a number of activities for the week beginning Monday, October 27th. The activities include giving out ribbons to encourage students to live drug-free; having students sign drug-free stickers; and handing out red lollipops as a sweet reminder.
The beFREE! Project will be distributing red ribbons at a number of locations throughout town. Please take one and wear it during the week to symbolize your commitment to eliminating substance abuse among our teens. Also, take some time during this week to talk with the youth in your life about the dangers of substance use.
Sue Hadley, beFREE! Project Co-Coordinator, notes that parents are one of the biggest influences in their child’s decision whether or not to use drugs and alcohol. “It’s important for you to talk to your children about the dangers of drug and alcohol use. Empowering youth to lead positive, healthy, drug-free lives is one of the most important jobs a parent or family member has.”
The beFREE! Project invites you to join them in wearing red ribbons this week to show your commitment to providing a safe, healthy, drug and alcohol free lifestyle for our youth. For more information about the beFREE! Project, go to www.befreeproject.org or send an email to befreeproject@gmail.com |
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Administration. He was kidnapped and killed while working undercover
investigating drug traffickers. In honor of his memory, friends and
neighbors began wearing red satin badges. In1988, NFP organized the
first Red Ribbon campaign.