Southampton Students Fight Back Against Drugs

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — Southampton Intermediate School students recently participated with others nationwide in the fight against drugs.

The students marked Red Ribbon Week by participating in numerous activities based on the theme “Celebrate life. Life drug-free.”

Students took part in theme days created by the school’s counselors that aimed to bring awareness of a drug-free life. In addition, the school’s resource officers spoke to each grade level about the importance of a drug-free life and the dangers of drugs.

Representatives from the Retreat also met with eighth graders to speak about the importance of healthy relationships. There was also a door decorating contest.

According to its website, Red Ribbon Week is presented by the National Family Partnership, formerly the National Federation of Parents for Drug Free Youth, and was established as a grass-roots, nonprofit organization in 1980 by parents who wanted to play a role in drug prevention.

"NFP provides drug awareness by sponsoring the annual National Red Ribbon Campaign. Since its beginning in 1985, the Red Ribbon has touched the lives of millions of people around the world. In response to the murder of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena, angered parents and youth in communities across the country began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction cause by drugs in America," the page said.

In 1988, NFP sponsored the first National Red Ribbon Celebration. "Today, the Red Ribbon serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities," the page added.