R. Roger Rowe School in Rancho Santa Fe to participate in Red Ribbon Week events

Rancho Santa Fe’s R. Roger Rowe School will hold its annual Red Ribbon Week campaign Oct.26-30. Red Ribbon Week is a national campaign promoting drug, alcohol, and tobacco abuse prevention and awareness in schools and communities. It is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country and typically takes place the last week of October. The campaign serves as an opportunity for schools and communities to encourage students to achieve their hopes and dreams by making the commitment to live healthy, drug-free lives.

The tradition of Red Ribbon Week began as a way to commemorate the life and death of DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who, in 1985, died at the hands of drug traffickers in Mexico while fighting the battle of illegal drugs. Within weeks of his death, a high school friend of Camarena began Camarena Clubs in southern California, inspiring hundreds of club members to make a pledge to live drug-free lives. The clubs began to wear red ribbons of satin to commemorate Camarena and their pledge to say no to drugs, and the tradition eventually grew to a national campaign now known as Red Ribbon Week. It is the hope of Red Ribbon Week founders that it will not only inspire and encourage youth to live healthy, successful and drug-free lives, but will also aid in reducing the demand for drugs and minimize the drug cartels’ brutal and deadly control of the drug market.

R. Roger Rowe School “is proudly participating in this national campaign with week-long student activities and events designed to bring awareness and education to students and inspire them to just say ‘NO’ and make healthy choices.” This year’s theme is “A Healthy Me is Drug Free!” Each day the students will participate in various activities and show their commitment by adhering to fun and creative dress codes. Monday, students will wear crazy socks to “Sock it to Drugs.” Tuesday, students will wear PJ’s to support the pledge “Dream Big – Be Drug Free!” Wednesday is “Wear Red” day, Thursday is “Too Bright to do Drugs” day (kids wear their brightest colored outfit), and Friday is the Halloween Carnival.

Further activities include an essay contest, hanging “hand-print” banners on the courtyard railings showing individual student promises to remain drug and alcohol free, and hanging red ribbons on fences. On Wednesday, Oct. 28, Wheels of Freestyle will conduct a BMX stunt show for grades K-5, demonstrating Red Ribbon Week messages: healthy lifestyle, live your dreams, be motivated, respect others and stay in school and do your best. Jamba Juice will be on sale each day in the school courtyard from 2 p.m.-3:15 p.m. except Friday, when the school will be holding its annual Halloween Carnival. A portion of proceeds from Jamba Juice sales will be donated to The American Cancer Society, a non-profit organization chosen by the Student Council.

According to RSF School District officials, “Red Ribbon Week is a wonderful opportunity for schools and families to educate youth regarding the power of positive choices in leading healthy and successful lives. Encouraging youth to make the commitment to remain drug, alcohol, and tobacco free is a powerful message and will encourage youth to make the right decisions and R. Roger Rowe School is proud to participate in this positive and valuable campaign.”