SAFE GC Coalition: Red Ribbon Week at GC Schools

Substance Abuse Free Environment (SAFE) is the only alcohol and substance use prevention, intervention and education agency in Glen Cove. Annually, SAFE sponsors Red Ribbon Week (RRW), a public awareness and support effort to discourage underage substance use and encourage positive and healthy choices. RRW is known nationally as a drug awareness campaign that was created in 1985 to address the importance of substance abuse prevention in all school districts and communities.

SAFE hosted RRW with prevention education assemblies at Gribbin, Connolly, Landing, Deasy and Middle Schools and the Glen Cove Youth Bureau’s After 3 Program. All students were provided with red ribbons and red bracelets that display the annual RRW theme. This year’s RRW theme is “Life is a Movie, Film Drug Free”. Students participated in an artwork contest around the annual theme. Students were asked to consider the theme, its meaning, and draw something that in their minds represented that theme. Once the artwork was completed, SAFE staff and members of the Board of Directors scheduled a judging. First, second and third place winners were selected, and prizes were given to the winners on the day of the assembly.

This year Connolly school students enrolled in SAFE’s Life Skills Training at After 3 planted red tulips in honor of RRW later this month to promote healthy lifestyles and drug-free living. When the tulips bloom in the spring, they will help remind the students and community of the importance of living a healthy, drug-free life. Students and families can take pictures and share them with loved ones, just like this year's theme, which is "Life is a movie, Film Drug-Free."

The Glen Cove Police Department also partners with SAFE to educate youth on the importance of staying drug-free. Detective Karousos conducted prevention awareness presentations throughout the week to students emphasizing peer-resistance skills and the benefits of living a drug-free lifestyle.

The continuous efforts made by the SAFE Coalition, Youth Bureau, Police Department and the dedicated staff of the Glen Cove School District have made this year’s RRW another successful event. To learn more about the SAFE Glen Cove Coalition please follow us on www.facebook.com/safeglencove or visit SAFE’s website at www.safeglencove.org.