Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation reaching millions of Americans during the last week of October every year. By wearing red ribbons and participating in community anti-drug events, young people pledge to live a drug-free life and p

ay tribute to DEA Special Agent Enriqué “Kiki” Camarena, according to

www.justive.gov.
Red Ribbon Week was celebrated at Brashier Middle College Charter High School from October 25^th to October 30^th. Each day held a new activity that students could participate in. Monday was Wear Red Day. Different students wore their favorite red outfits that day. A few students went around wearing a Santa suit. Tuesday was Keep Your Water Pure Day. Thursday was the Ghost Day. Handpicked students went around school with white tee shirts saying GHOST on the back. These students represented the percentage of students who died in a drug or alcohol related incidents. On Friday Brashier students were able to come to school, out of uniform, wearing their Halloween costumes. There were students dressed up as anything, from fairies to grim reapers.

 “I loved being able to come out of uniform for a couple of days,” said Sophomore Brittany Tabanera. However some Brashier students did not enjoy it. “I didn’t really like the costume day, and the ghost day was not that great either. Many people used the costume day just to wear regular clothes,” stated an irritated sophomore, Andrew Elam.  While there were disagreements on the activities of Red Ribbon Week, it was suppose to make students understand the importance of staying away from drugs and alcohol. This was the reason why our special guest speaker, Susie Vanderlip, came to Brashier on Thursday, October 22^nd, 2009. Vanderlip encouraged students to talk about drug problems to get help. She also pointed out a few key facts.
1)      Teenagers are in denial
2)      Ask for help when you need it
3)      set a personal policy
4)      commit your life to service

“I liked this year’s Red Ribbon Week. There could have been more activities like last year, but over all, it was pretty good,” said sophomore Justin Colman.

 For more information on why Red Ribbon Week started please click here.