Since 1985, the National Family Partnership has sponsored a program called Red Ribbon Week. Red Ribbon Week is an attempt to warn children and teenagers about the dangers of illegal drugs and alcohol. After Enrique Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration Agent, was killed, his friends and neighbors began to wear red ribbons to honor his life and his battle against illegal drugs. This week, Travelers Rest students get to participate in this event and bring awareness of the dangers hiding in drugs and alcohol.

At Travelers Rest, students get involved in Red Ribbon Week in many ways like with the door decorating competition. First, second, and third place receive gift cards for $100, $75, and $50, respectively. On Friday, October 28th, Mr. Lavely announced that Mrs. Stone won first, Ms. Mesa won second, and Mr. Brown won third. 

There are also dress up days. Dressing up includes wearing red, black and gold, professional clothing, a team jersey, and pink. Mr. Rierson, a Beta Club sponsor and a big contributor to Red Ribbon Week, says that Red Ribbon Week is really about showing that Travelers Rest supports Red Ribbon. Mr. Rierson says one of the most important parts of this week is “being willing to talk about the problems with doing drugs and hearing other teachers different perspectives.” Another Beta Club sponsor, Mrs. Brailsford, says, “We are making sure that the students, the community, faculty and the understand that we are against the use of illegal drugs.”

A lot of people say there is no harm in underage drinking and that nothing bad will happen, but annually 4,300 underage drinkers die from incidents involving underage drinking. It’s very easy to say “oh that won’t happen to me” but you have no idea what tomorrow holds and it could as easily be you as it could be the kid you’ve never heard of that contributes to that list of 4,300 people. Alcohol can also increase your chance of getting cancer and drinking too much alcohol could lead to alcohol poison and kill you.

The United States represents 5% of the world population and 75% of prescription drugs taken and 60% of teens that abuses drugs get them from a friend or relative. One of the more common drugs is unprescribed Xanax . It can affect your brain and cause your speech to slur and your decision making to be altered. Another danger is overdosing which can be caused by taking too many pills in a short time.

The most common drug in the United States is marijuana which is believed that it isn’t harmful but actually healthy which can be true if it isn’t overused or abused but sadly most the time that isn’t the case. Studies show that those who started smoking heavily at an early age lost an average of 8 IQ points between the ages 13-38. Marijuana can also cause breathing problems, increased heart rate, and problems with child development before and after pregnancy.

Red Ribbon Week’s purpose is to tell students about the danger of drugs. For many, this program can help push them toward a better future and keep them clean.