The Massac County Drug Awareness Coalition (MCDAC), which formed in February, has events planned with Massac Unit One and Joppa Maple Grove school districts, as well as local businesses.
The nationally known Red Ribbon campaign was started in 1985 when drug traffickers in Mexico City murdered DEA Agent Kiki Camarena, who was an advocate in fighting the use of illegal drugs.
The continuing tradition of displaying red ribbons is a symbol of intolerance toward the use of drugs and the outcomes they can cause.
"It gives me hope that if we bring awareness to the students and citizens of our community, we might alter the path toward drug abuse for someone we know, or even a complete stranger," stated Sabrina Beck. Beck is a parent member of the MCDAC. "I know first hand the damage it does to an individual and the turmoil it causes a family."
On Oct. 23, the coalition will distribute coloring pages with drug free messages to kindergarten through sixth grade students throughout the county. On Wednesday, Oct. 24 they will deliver over 2500 red ribbons for every student in the county to display on their backpacks.
Thursday, Oct. 25 will be "Be a Smartie! Don't Use Drugs" Day for students, kindergarten through sixth grade, and on Friday, Oct. 26, all students will be asked to take a pledge to live a safe and healthy drug free lifestyle.
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