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Students pledge to be drug-free
Published October 31, 2009
CLUTE — As T.W. Ogg Elementary School students marched down the road, there was no question they were having a good time. As they chanted “say no to drugs,” it also was clear they learned a good message.
For many school districts across the country, Friday was the last day of Red Ribbon Week, a time devoted to raising drug awareness, education and prevention.
“It’s to tell people to stop doing drugs like tobacco and crack,” said Jayvien Thomas, a third-grader at T.W. Ogg Elementary. Avoiding the use of drugs will lead to a better life, he said.
“They can mess up your mind and keep your brain from normally growing,” Thomas said.
Another third-grader, Zach Thornton, had a fun week that included bringing stuffed animals and wearing pajamas to school, but he said he has learned the message.
“Stay drug-free,” he said.
When third-grader Kourtney Nguyen was asked if she ever would do drugs, she laughed and said, “Of course not.”
Students also turned the message into homework, spreading the word well past school hours.
As Martha Zavala watched the parade that included her 7-year-old son, she said it gets bigger every year. This year it included a fire truck, horses, a karate class and a monster truck.
During the past week, Zavala’s son has learned a lot about drugs and their danger, she said.
To have fun with the message, students wear crazy socks, camouflage and participate in other themed activities.
Angleton Middle School sixth-grader Chris Kocurek enjoyed listening to his music teacher perform a rap song about drugs, he said.
Sweeny Junior High eighth-grader Billye Mills-Jones said the students wore red clothes, hats and glasses to go along with their theme of being drug-free. The clothing themes are about more than having fun and getting to wear something you normally wouldn’t, she said. They also are about showing other students they support a drug-free lifestyle.
“It shows other kids that we can all go up against it,” Mills-Jones said.
They also learn about the effects of drugs on their body and mind.
The week is dedicated not only to creating awareness of the hazards of drug use, but the importance of being successful, said Sheila Newton, Community in Schools campus coordinator for Columbia-Brazoria ISD.
C-BISD celebrated Red Ribbon Week last week. Many organizations participated in West Columbia Elementary’s parade, including Stand by Peace, a Columbia High School afterschool club dedicated to tobacco-, drug- and violence-free education for children.
Stand by Peace member Brandi Addison asked students to sign a poster pledging to be drug-free, she said.
“If you’re not drug-free, you’re not going to get much done at all,” the Columbia High junior said.
Ke’Asia Foston, an Angleton Middle School sixth-grader, agrees living without drugs is a great way to accomplish what you want out of life.
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