“Life is a Journey, Travel Drug Free"

Miller Place, N.Y. (October 2018)—Miller Place’s North Country Road Middle School (NCRMS) proudly participated in Red Ribbon Week to promote drug awareness throughout the community and empower students to live a drug-free life. During the week-long celebration, students and faculty listened to a series of guest speakers who discussed drug issues prevalent in today’s society. Students also honed in on their creativity for a poster contest, and pledged to be drug-free.

“Students are faced with various challenges while growing up. As role models and educators, our teachers and staff members are dedicated to emphasizing the importance of choosing a drug-free lifestyle,” said Dr. Marianne Cartisano, Superintendent of Miller Place Schools. “In addition to offering numerous activities to educate and empower our students, the District is proud to participate in Red Ribbon Week year after year.”

NCRMS’s Red Ribbon Week commenced with Suffolk County Police Department Officer George Lynagh, who delivered three, 45-minute presentations about drug use to the sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. Officer Lynagh discussed the dangers of short-term and long-term uses of recreational marijuana with sixth graders, the risks of Over the Counter (OTC) and prescription drugs with seventh graders, and the current heroin epidemic with eighth graders. Stephanie Sloan, MS, CASAC, a senior drug abuse educator with the Suffolk County Department of Health, gave a detailed presentation on the risks associated with the use of e-cigarettes and vaping. In addition, Principal Matthew Clark of NCRMS facilitated an open forum for eighth graders during lunch periods. Students were encouraged to reflect upon the guest speakers of Red Ribbon Week and discuss relevant issues they may currently be facing.

“The District’s faculty looks to provide limitless opportunities for our students to explore and promote a healthy lifestyle,” said NCRMS Assistant Principal Christopher Herrschaft. “NCRMS is proud to partake in a program that empowers students with initiatives to make healthy and safe decisions.”

During lunch periods, students promoted a lifestyle free from drugs and alcohol by signing a pledge and sporting red bracelets of unity. While pledging, students agreed to continue educating themselves about the dangers of drug use, respect themselves, live drug free, and spread the word to family and friends about being healthy and drug free.

Students were also encouraged to hone in on their creativity and imagination by creating posters for a building-wide contest. Students in each grade level won prizes for the most informative poster that promotes the message of Red Ribbon Week. This year’s winners of the poster contest are sixth graders Katelynn Dimaiuta, Erin Fesler, and Madison McErlean; seventh graders Mary Duffy, Olivia Bloom, and Nicholas Halley; and eighth grader Scarlett Denton. Congratulations to everyone who participated!

Red Ribbon Week was established in 1985 to honor Enrique Camarana, a drug enforcement officer who gave his life in the fight against drugs. The Red Ribbon became a symbol of awareness to reduce the use of illegal drugs and violence. As the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country, Red Ribbon serves as a vehicle for communities and individuals to take a stand for the hopes and dreams of our children through a commitment to drug prevention and education.

For more information about the Miller Place School District, please visit the District’s website at www.millerplace.k12.ny.us. To read more about some of the great things happening in Miller Place schools, visit www.millerplaceinthemedia.com.