Red Ribbon Week seeks to raise awareness of drug use and the problems related to drugs facing the community and encourages parents, educators, business owners and other community organizations to promote drug-free lifestyles.
LUDLOW — Ludlow community members are continuing their effort to combat a problem with illegal use of prescription pain killers.
Detective Sgt. Thomas Foye said that the abuse of prescription pain killers is becoming a suburban epidemic.
Students in Ludlow will celebrate Red Ribbon Week from Oct. 23 to 31.
Red Ribbon Week seeks to raise awareness of drug use and the problems related to drugs facing the community and encourages parents, educators, business owners and other community organizations to promote drug-free lifestyles.
“Red Ribbon Week encourages our community to adopt healthy, drug-free lifestyles,” said Ludlow Cares coalition spokesman Jennifer Fafard. The Ludlow Cares Coalition is combating illegal drug use and underage drinking in the community.
Fafard said the Red Ribbon campaign brings together parents, schools and businesses to seek innovative ways to keep kids and communities drug-free.
“The red ribbon symbolizes a continuing commitment to reducing the demand for illicit drugs in our communities,” Fafard said. She said that in 1985, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique S. “Kiki” Camarena was killed by drug traffickers. After his death, citizens from his hometown of Calexico, California, began wearing red ribbons to remember him and commemorate his sacrifice. Congress established Red Ribbon Week in 1988.
The following activities are planned for Red Ribbon Week in Ludlow:
At Baird Middle School students will participate in making posters, books and other displays around education awareness of the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
The displays will have the theme of CARES – compassion, awareness, respect, education and safety.
Community Service and Student Council Clubs have offered assistance making Red Ribbon Week ribbons.
On Oct. 25 and 26 Baird students will pledge good decision making and healthy life choices and will sell red bands for students to wear in the community.
A pledge wall will be displayed in the main foyer of Baird Middle School.
On Oct. 24, members of the community, the Ludlow Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Agency will go to St. John the Baptist School and view student essays, hand out red ribbons and lead the drug-free pledge with students.
On Oct. 25 and 26, students at Ludlow High School will make posters in health classes and sign the drug-free pledge wall.
On Oct. 26 there will be an informational table at the Ludlow Boys & Girls Club from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. to provide information on efforts to educate the community about the dangers of illegal drug use and underage alcohol use.
On Oct. 29 community members will hand out red ribbons at Veterans Park Elementary School and lead students in a drug-free pledge. Members of the Ludlow Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Agency will attend.