Red Ribbon campaign a community effort

Social service agencies throughout the community have joined together to raise drug awareness during this year’s Red Ribbon Substance Abuse Prevention Campaign, which started Thursday and continues through Oct. 30.

The Elgin Gang and Drug Task Force members have a variety of activities planned at various schools, including a special anti-drug rally and program at The Centre of Elgin’s Heritage Ballroom on Saturday, Nov. 5.

Throughout the campaign, students from Elgin, Larkin and South Elgin high schools, as well as from Abbott, Canton, Kimball, Larsen and Ellis middle schools, will participate in special activities planned to heighten drug awareness. Each student will also be given a red ribbon to reflect their personal commitment to a drug-free lifestyle.

Red Ribbon specifically targets adolescents because of how substance abuse negatively impacts their academic performance, including higher absenteeism, lower grades, disruptive behaviors, suspensions and below grade-level test scores.

The Red Ribbon campaign culminates at The Centre of Elgin with a special anti-drug rally and Hip-Hop Detox program, which features a demonstration about hip-hop music and the lyrics associated in the songs. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in hip-hop dance.

Community residents are invited to attend this free event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 5 at The Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way in downtown Elgin. No registration is required.

The Red Ribbon campaign was started when drug traffickers in Mexico City murdered Drug Enforcement Agency agent Kiki Camarena in 1985. This began the continuing tradition of displaying red ribbons as a symbol of intolerance toward the use of drugs.

The mission of the Red Ribbon campaign is to present a unified and visible commitment toward the creation of a drug-free America.

For details on the Red Ribbon Substance Abuse Prevention Campaign, call Ricardo Gasca at (847) 742-3545, ext. 264.