Red Ribbon Week set for Oct. 23-31

From Special Reports

Red Ribbon Week, a special time set aside to educate youth about the dangers of drugs, will be held Oct. 23-31.

The week, started in 1988 after a DEA agent was killed by drug dealers, is one of the national initiatives of the Continental Society Inc., and its Newnan chapter. This year’s theme is “Be Happy, Be Brave, Be Drug Free.”

“This observance serves as a time to educate our youth about the dangers of drugs – prescription and illegal drugs – and to encourage participation in drug awareness activities,” said Tonya Whitlock, first vice president and program chairwoman.

The Newnan chapter has been active in Red Ribbon Week for many years, distributing red ribbons and other incentives to local schools, conducting drug awareness seminars and poster contests at Maggie Brown, and participating in the DEA Take Back Days, and other programs.

“It is our hope that our children be empowered to make informed decisions by the knowledge gained through such campaigns,” Whitlock added.

Because of COVID restrictions, the Newnan chapter is putting together incentive packets to be distributed to students, along with red ribbons and supplies for poster contests.