All this week, children in Sioux Falls will be dressed in red, making drug-free pledges and even tying red ribbons on cars. The activities will not only spread the message of staying drug-free, but it's also starting up conversations and letting students know now that it's ok to say no.
Ethan Anderson is dressed for Red Ribbon Week. But while the 12 year old is excited about the festivities, he knows the message behind his red t-shirt is what really matters.
"If you don't know in the future, that you might do it and you might lead yourself into legal trouble and health trouble,” Anderson said.
Anderson hopes more of his classmates wear red Wednesday, but what's even more important is that they understand the dangers of drugs.
“You only have to say it once, hopefully they will back off,” Anderson said.
Patrick Henry's Drug and Alcohol Counselor Mischa' deKramer agrees. "I don't think we can send the message enough to our kids that it's ok to be drug and alcohol free,” deKramer said.
That's why Red Ribbon Week is so important; it gets students' attention and starts up conversations about what's right and what's wrong.
"There's no kids that I know that are talking about drugs because I think they just wanna try to stay safe and stay clean,” Anderson said.
Many schools are participating for a week as part of the National Red Ribbon Week, but Patrick Henry Middle School has planned out two weeks of events, including special dress up days like a hat day called "Put A Cap On Drugs Day."
