The Student Government Association hosts this annual event, composing new slogans each year and awarding prizes to the “Best Dressed” students. All throughout the week, education blends with entertainment in an engaging way.

 

The week includes various assemblies informing students about the unhealthy effects of drugs, topping it all off with the whole school signing a pledge against the illegal, abusive use of drugs. The slogan of Red Ribbon Week, painted on a banner, hangs in a hallway that people often use so they can autograph it at their convenience.

 

Nonetheless, disregarding the instructional meetings, a few students take advantage of the slightly lax week to wear whatever they want and ignore the seriousness of drug abuse. Despite those who misuse Red Ribbon Week, most of the school’s population relishes the full week’s activities.

 

“Red Ribbon Week is a great idea because it protests the use of harmful drugs, which I completely agree with,” Andrew Horton, an eighth grader, declares. “Some kids don’t know about drugs being so bad and this helps teach them. Other kids who believe drugs are wrong are [reaffirmed] in that belief.”

 

Conner Merrifield, twelfth grade, believes there are more effective tools. He said, “[For sophomores, juniors, and seniors] the ‘Faces of Meth’ would be a more powerful tool to demonstrate and scare them against the use of drugs.”

 

Through a few students’ eyes, it may just be a week to rebel against the usually rigid dress code, but to the majority, Red Ribbon Week is a very necessary part of school life to challenge drug abuse and make a stand in favor of an active, healthy lifestyle. 10/21/16