Schools to mark Red Ribbon Week in fight against drugs

FALLS VILLAGE — The Northwest Corner Prevention Network invites the community to take a visible stand against drugs by celebrating Red Ribbon Week Oct. 23-31.

The Red Ribbon Campaign is the brainchild of the National Family Partnership, created nearly 30 years ago. The weeklong campaign serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and engage in drug prevention activities.

“Red Ribbon Week encourages our entire community to adopt healthy, drug-free lifestyles,” said Lesly Ferris, chairwoman of the prevention network. “The campaign brings together parents, schools and businesses as we look for innovative ways to keep kids and communities drug free.”

This year the NCPN is collaborating with North Canaan Elementary School, Kent Center School, Lee H. Kellogg School, Salisbury Central School and Sharon Center School on a variety of Red Ribbon Week activities. The most observable is a Red Out Day at the elementary schools. Students and staff will be encouraged to wear red to show their commitment to making healthy decisions on Oct. 25.

NCPN representatives Christina Khounsombath and Josh Licursi will attend each school during Red Ribbon Week and on Red Out Day to visit the classes and have a discussion with students about ways to keep their bodies healthy and to make good choices. They anticipate speaking with more than 600 students in District 1 elementary schools.

NCPN has also invited the first selectmen of the school district to sign a proclamation supporting Red Ribbon Week.

Students will celebrate throughout the week by participating in daily activities. For example, “Put A Cap on Drugs and Wear a Crazy Hat to School” and “Team up Against Drugs and Wear your favorite team jersey/shirt to school.” Also NCPN hopes students will sign pledges to stay drug free and make a “wall of pledges” along with coloring red “ribbons posters” throughout the schools. NCPN will distribute Red Ribbon Week pencils and stickers to the region’s elementary school students.

“Red Ribbon Week gives us the opportunity to be vocal and visible in our efforts to achieve a drug-free community,” said Christina Khounsombath, prevention facilitator at the McCall Center for Behavioral Health and NCPN. “Research shows that children are less likely to use alcohol and other drugs when parents and role models are clear and consistent in their opposition to substance use and abuse.”

The Northwest Corner Prevention Network receives general support from Housatonic Valley Coalition Against Substance Abuse and financial support from the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. NCPN partnered with McCall Center for Behavioral Health to receive coalition enhancement funding from the Foundation for Community Health and the Northwest Corner Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.

The inaugural rollout of Red Ribbon Week in this area in 2016 was one of many of the group’s strategies aimed at youth to help prevent the effects of drugs and alcohol from taking hold.

This year the NCPN is collaborating with North Canaan Elementary School, Kent Center School, Lee H. Kellogg School, Salisbury Central School and Sharon Center School on a variety of Red Ribbon Week activities. The most observable is a Red Out Day at the elementary schools. Students and staff will be encouraged to wear red to show their commitment to making healthy decisions on Oct. 25.