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Red Ribbon Week activities from last year at Hidden Valley Middle School. Courtesy photo

The Red Ribbon Campaign will begin for Roanoke County on Monday October 26 through the 30th and is the nation's oldest and largest drug prevention program held at the end of October every year. The purpose of the event is for young people to pledge to live drug-free and remember DEA Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena who was killed on February 7, 1985 by Mexican drug traffickers.

Red ribbons have been used to remember Camarena and symbolize intolerance towards the use of drugs. The mission of the Red Ribbon Campaign is to present a unified and visible commitment toward the creation of a DRUG-FREE AMERICA.

"It's about drug abuse and alcohol prevention," Fran Kiker, Coordinator of Guidance for Roanoke County Public Schools said.

Red Ribbon week is sponsored by RAYSAC (Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition) and Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare.

This year's theme is, "Drug-Free Is the Key!" and elementary and middle schools will participate in a poster contest and all elementary, middle and high schools will participate in a School Competition. Prizes will be awarded to the school that best demonstrates the spirit of Red Ribbon Week.

"We've been doing this as long as I can remember, Kiker said. "At least 20 years, maybe 25. The community does get involved. It is a once a year week, of course, we want to have awareness all year long. It's kind of like a celebration."

All schools in the Roanoke Valley will be participating in Red Ribbon Week and all are invited to a Candlelight Vigil of Remembrance and Hope on Sunday, Nov. 1 at the Hotel Roanoke.

Southwest Roanoke County Schools will participate in decorating, putting signs out, engaging in learning about substance use., pledge letters, students will dress in red, receive live information, watch videos, put red ribbons on cars, participate in skits, assemblies, quizzes, and door prizes.

Tim Hayes, SAP Coordinator at Hidden Valley Middle School said, "We usually do a big assembly either at the beginning or end of the week. Last year had some guest speakers from different organizations who speak about making good choices and substance abuse."

Last year the 8th-graders spelled out "Be Drug Free" and conducted a balloon launch.

"We decorate like crazy," Hayes said. "The whole inside of the school and the outside of the school. It's always been a joint effort. The last couple years we've had at least 100 people stay and decorate between the students and faculty."

Cave Spring High School Red Ribbon Week Activities:

Monday:

Kick-Off Presentation- Ms. Sandy Gotschal and Drama Students will present themed skitTime: Latter half of 1st period, through homeroom

Location: Auditorium

Tuesday:

Two Drug Awareness PSA's. Teachers and students will have the opportunity to view these informative videos about alcohol and prescription drug abuse. These were written by CSHS students and produced by WDBJ-7.

Time & Location: Homeroom

Wednesday:

“Beer Goggles” Simulation: Officer Torzewski will be on-hand in the cafeteria to demonstrate alcohol-impairment simulation goggles for students.

Time: 2nd & 3rd Lunch Period

Location: Cafeteria

Thursday:

Door Decorating Competition. CSHS students and teachers will compete in decorating classroom doors in appropriate drug- and alcohol-awareness themes; winner will receive a breakfast from Famous Anthony's Restaurant!

Friday:

Speaker Testimonials
Info: Throughout the day, students will have the opportunity to hear speakers whose lives were gravely affected by drugs and alcohol. All classes are welcome. During first and second period, members of Alcoholics Anonymous will tell their stories. During periods 3,4, 6, 7, 8, Rick and Josh Hill will share their experiences from when Josh was hit by a drunk driver seven years ago. (You can view a video by the Hills at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXfwqoj1Km4
Location: Auditorium

Friday Evening: Bogle Field Activities
Activity: Cheerleaders will lead the fans in a special Red Ribbon Week Cheer, and special announcements from the press box will help build audience awareness.
Activity: “Wheel of Misfortune” - Throughout the game, an interactive game will be available for spectators and students to increase their drug and alcohol awareness. Free “goodies” for participants!

Hidden Valley Middle School Red Ribbon Week Activities:

Monday

Activity & Description:  Faculty, students, and parents will arrive to see a series of posters along the side of the road leading to either a wrecked car.  The statistics reflect the YRBS results from 2008.  The members of the Prevention Club will be at the school early that morning in order to tie red ribbons on the car antennas of faculty and car riders.  Teachers and students will do the final touches on their door decorating with either a drug & alcohol prevention message.  The DOOR DECORATING CONTEST will be for any period class selected by the teacher.  Students and faculty will watch a VIDEO HIGHLIGHTING THE PREVENTION CLUB and the meaning of Red Ribbon Week during HV TV (HVMS morning news given by the journalism students here at HVMS).   Students will attend assemblies throughout the day during either their health or physical education class.  The event will take place in the gym and the speaker will be Carol Blevins who will talk about the risks of alcohol use and more specifically binge drinking.  After school volunteers will help to decorate the entire inside and outside of the school.

Target Audience:  Faculty, students, and parents
Time of Day & Location:  7:30 to 8:15am – roadside

8:15 to 8:35am -    classroom

8:30 to 3:05pm-  gym
3:15 to 5:30pm – inside and outside of the school

Tuesday

Activity & Description:  Faculty, students, and parents will arrive to see a series of posters along the side of the road leading to either a wrecked car or motorcycle.  The statistics will reflect the YRBS results from 2008.  At lunch, students will be given the opportunity to take DRUG AWARENESS QUIZ #1 with the opportunity to be in a drawing for prizes if they get 100% on the quiz.  Parent volunteers will help out with the distribution of the drug awareness quizzes in lunches and they will assist in grading the quizzes completed by the students.

Target Audience:  Faculty, students, and parents
Time of Day & Location:  7:30 to 8:15am – roadside
11:00-1:00pm -   cafeteria

Wednesday

Activity & Description:  Faculty, students, and parents will arrive to see a series of posters along the side of the road leading to either a wrecked car.  The statistics will reflect the YRBS results from 2008.  Students will be given the ANSWERS TO DRUG AWARENESS QUIZ #1 on HV TV in the morning.   At lunch, students will be given the opportunity to take DRUG AWARENESS QUIZ #2.   The DOOR DECORATING CONTEST will conclude with a panel of judges including some members of the Prevention Club, the SAP Coordinator, and an Administrator.  Winners of the Door Decorating Contest from each grade level will be announced at the end of the day.

Target Audience:  Faculty, students, and parents
Time of Day & Location:  7:30 to 8:15am – parking lot
8:15 to 8:35am – classrooms
11:00 – 1:00pm - cafeteria
2:30 to 3:00pm – hallways to judge door decorations

Thursday

Activity & Description:  Faculty, students, and parents will arrive to see a series of posters along the side of the road leading to a wrecked car.  The statistics will reflect the YRBS results from 2008.  Students will be given the ANSWERS TO DRUG AWARENESS QUIZ #2 on HV TV in the morning..   At lunch the students will be given the opportunity to take DRUG AWARENESS QUIZ #3.

Target Audience:  Faculty, students, and parents
Time of Day & Location:  7:30 to 8:15am - roadside
8:15 to 8:35am – classrooms
11:00 – 1:00pm - cafeteria

Friday

Activity & Description:  :  Faculty, students, and parents will arrive to see a series of posters along the side of the road leading to either a wrecked car.  The statistics will reflect the YRBS results from 2008.  Students will be given the ANSWERS TO DRUG AWARENESS QUIZ #3 on HV TV in the morning.  At lunch, students will be judged on WEAR RED DAY…the student in each grade wearing the most red will be awarded a prize.  RRW FINALE ASSEMBLY and Balloon Launch.  We will summarize the events of the week, announce the prize winners of the week (door decorating contest from each grade, 100% winners from each grade, grand prize winner, wear red winner from each grade.  We will hank everyone for participating…and thank members of the Prevention Club for their effort in planning for the activities of the week.  We will have a moment of silence to remember those lost and to recognize those innocent victims of substance abuse in our community.  We will have a Balloon Launch.  Students, faculty, and parents will get together after school to assist in taking down decorations from Red Ribbon Week.  After school volunteers will help to take down decorations around the entire inside and outside of the school.

Target Audience:  Students, faculty, and parents
Time of Day & Location:  7:30 to 8:15am – roadside
8:15 to 8:35am – classrooms

11:00 – 1:00pm - cafeteria
2:40-3:15pm – outside or gym (depending on weather)
3:15 to 5:30pm – inside and outside of the school