Rockwood students pledge to be drug-free

Students in the Rockwood School District joined the nationwide fight against drugs during Red Ribbon Week Oct. 26-30. Sponsored by Rockwood’s Drug-Free Coalition, students pledged to live a healthy and drug-free life by wearing red ribbons to demonstrate their commitment to be free from illegal drugs and alcohol abuse.
A banner was installed at central office to remind the community about Rockwood’s commitment to Red Ribbon Week. Students also participated several activities throughout the week that promoted a drug-free community.
Some of the activities included:
• The Missouri National Guard Counterdrug Task Force helicopter landing at Green Pines Elementary School to kick off Red Ribbon Week. The pilots then presented an anti-drug message to students.
• McGruff the Crime Dog and Eureka Police visited Geggie Elementary School to hand out red ribbons.
• We Can Be Drug-Free at Uthoff Valley Elementary School, where students collected can goods all week to help stock the shelves of Circle Of Concern’s food pantry.
• Follow Your Dreams and Don’t do Drugs was the message at Blevins Elementary, where students wore pajamas to school.
• Showing Good Character and helping others is what students at Kellison Elementary School did when they collected nearly 300 food items for Circle Of Concern.
• Smash Out Drugs at Crestview Middle School, where students used a sledge hammer to take a swing at a car that was involved in a drunk-driving accident. Students paid $1 a swing and all proceeds benefit Trend – an organization dedicated to helping kids make healthy choices.
• Students signed Drug-Free Pledges with Ballwin Police at Woerther Elementary School.
• Fatal Vision Goggles were used at Rockwood South Middle School so eighth-grade students could experience the effects of alcohol impairment. The Fatal Vision Goggles were borrowed from the Missouri National Guard.                      
• Uthoff Valley Elementary School students release balloons at Uthoff Valley Elementary School. Each balloon had an anti-drug message attached.
• Students at Bowles Elementary School partnered with their Buddy and planted tulips in designated areas around the school grounds.

• I’d Walk a Mile to be Drug-Free, a 1-mile walk, was held at Chesterfield Elementary School.
• Shut the Door on Drugs at Wildwood Middle School. Students had a door decorating contest.
• Drug-Free Messages were passed out at Marquette High School during the football game with tips for parents regarding teen drug and alcohol statistics and warning signs.
Congress proclaimed Red Ribbon Week in 1988 to commemorate the life and death of Enrique Camarena, an agent of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Parents across the country created the Red Ribbon Campaign to show intolerance for drugs in schools, work places and communities. Today, the red ribbon stands as a symbol of the belief that one person can make a difference and that together, everyone can have a drug-free community.