Renz needs volunteers for Red Ribbon Week
Throughout Red Ribbon Week, the Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Elgin has several community events planned to help bring awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
This year's theme, "Life Is Your Journey. Travel Drug Free.," focuses on the many different opportunities parents have to talk to their teens whether it be at home, the dinner table, family outings, or with friends and extended family.
To kick off Red Ribbon week, residents are invited to help place ribbons along Highland Avenue and East Chicago Street bridges from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21.
Red ribbons will be provided.
Residents are encouraged to sign up online at cshelgin.org/redribbonweek/ for this free event.
"The red ribbons on the bridge serve as a reminder to parents to talk to their teens about drugs and alcohol prevention," said CSHE President Keith Goins. Children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42 percent less likely to use drugs than those who don't; yet, only a quarter of teens report having these conversations, reported the National Family Partnership.
Community residents also are invited at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24, to hear Elgin Mayor David Kaptain proclaim Oct. 23-31 as Red Ribbon Week in a special proclamation at the city council meeting. No reservations are needed for this free event.
Throughout Red Ribbon Week, the Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Elgin and Renz Addiction Counseling Center staff will visit local middle and high schools to talk to teens about drug and alcohol prevention.
Parents are encouraged to ask their teens about any school Red Ribbon activities they may have participated in.
Red Ribbon Week initially started when drug traffickers in Mexico City murdered DEA 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.
The mission of Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Elgin is to promote a safe and healthy community, free of violence and substance abuse through education, prevention and action. The Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Elgin is funded in part by a Drug-Free Communities federal grant.