Mineral County schools bring fight against drugs
MINERAL COUNTY --This week Mineral County schools will be observing Red Ribbon Week to raise drug awareness and encourage drug avoidance.
Each day this week, schools in all three Mineral County communities are having themes for the dress code with each theme pertaining to anti-drug promotion.
According to Byron Quinlan, principal of Superior Elementary School, on Monday students were encouraged to wear red as part of the Red Ribbon Kickoff. Tuesday was Put a Cap on Drugs day and students were encouraged to wear their favorite hat.
On Wednesday, students can dress as their favorite heroes for Hero day. Thursday is Sock it to Drugs Day and students are invited to wear crazy socks. Finally, Friday will be Bobcat Pride day where students are encouraged to wear red, white and blue.
Students in Alberton will also get dress up days. On Monday, students were encouraged to wear brightly colored clothes. While Tuesday had the same theme as Superior, on Wednesday students will get to dress as nerds for Drugs are Not Cool day. Finally, on Thursday students will be encouraged to wear denim or jeans.
St. Regis will also be given Red Ribbon Week items. K-6 students will get workbooks, covering how to be a good friend and saying no to drugs, to do in class. Finally, students of St. Regis High School will hold a “band-aids for bullying” activity for students at lunch on Thursday.
According to Quinlan, every day this week, students will also be receiving a different Red Ribbon Week item. The items being handed out include bracelets, mini footballs, stickers and other small items that have the Red Ribbon Week anti-drug message incorporated into them.
Charles Standeford, project coordinator of the Mineral County Health Department, said all three school districts will be getting a visit by guest speaker Terrence Talley.
“[He will] present a message on personal choices and how they effect not only your future but others as well,” said Standeford.
According to his website, Talley is a motivational speaker who travels to schools to help students with the issues they are struggling with, whether that is broken homes, drugs, bullying or depression. After his presentation, Talley will be available to talk one-on-one with students to discuss their issues.
“I want to make myself available to each one to hear their story and talk through their situation with them,” Talley said on his website. “I want to make sure when I come to visit you, I am leaving your community better.”
Red Ribbon Week is an annual tobacco, drug and violence awareness campaign that usually takes place the last full week of October. According to their website, the Red Ribbon Campaign saw its beginnings with the National Family Partnership as a way of educating and advocating drug prevention in schools and communities.
The organization provides educational literature about drug use and holds events like Red Ribbon Week to spread awareness of the dangers of drug use. They also work with local, state and federal governments to bring about laws that help in the fight against illegal drug trafficking.