SAFE Sponsors Red Ribbon Week at Glen Cove Schools

Substance Abuse Free Environment (SAFE) is the only alcohol and substance use prevention, intervention and education agency in Glen Cove. Each year 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 facilitated RRW with prevention education assembly’s at Gribbin, Connolly, Landing, Deasy and Middle Schools and the Glen Cove Youth Bureau’s After 3 Program. All students and staff were provided with red ribbons that display the annual RRW theme. Additionally, all students received a pencil holder bag that contains a pencil, red ribbon week sticker and red ribbon week bracelet. This year’s RRW theme is “Be Kind to Your Mind. Live 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 art work 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 the day of the assembly.

Every year, 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 to middle school 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/safeglencovec... or visit SAFE’s website at www.safeglencove.org.