In an effort to inspire kids to live a drug free life, many elementary schools across the South Plains are participating in Red Ribbon Week. Red Ribbon Week is an alcohol and drug awareness campaign to teach students about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
“It is just a way for us to bring awareness to drugs to our students,” Wheelock Elementary School principal, Stacy Carter said. “It is also about teaching students to take care of their bodies by eating healthy. We have them set goals for the future and talk to them about how drugs can negatively impact their future.”
Wheelock Elementary School is home to students Pre-K through Fifth grade and teachers tailor the message to be age appropriate but also informative. Carter said it is never too early to teach kids about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
“We just know that kids can be exposed to things at a very young age and we are giving them some strategies and awareness that things around them are not always safe,” Carter said. “It is just ways that they can say no and stand up for what they believe in. We are just really wanting to start kids off young and make sure they are aware of issues that they may face in live and give them ways to say no.”
Students get an opportunity to participate in the week by dressing up in costumes with different slogans that remind them to stay drug free. The days include wearing crazy socks to ‘sock it to drugs.’ The dress up days allow students to engage in activities that remind them to stay drug free.
“You learn how to not do drugs in a fun and creative way,” said Madelyn Saldana, a fourth grader at Wheelock Elementary.
During Red Ribbon Week, students are also encouraged to make a pledge to stay drug free.
