SEEING TRIPLE
Middle school celebrates Red Ribbon Week

From left, Bullard Middle School Students Juliann Hill, Taylor Frederick and Taylor Spiller dress alike as part of twin day held last week. Activities were held all week in support of Red-Ribbon Week.

Bullard Middle School joined with the Department of State Health Services to promote healthy, drug-free lifestyles during Red Ribbon 2007.

"Red Ribbon Week is about encouraging kids to be drug-free and marking the progress we've made. Many teens are choosing not to use drugs," said DSHS Deputy Commissioner Dr. Dave Wanser.

About 215,000 Texas students in grades 4-12 participated in the Department's 2004 Texas School Survey of Substance Use, the largest of its kind in the nation.

The agency has been conducting the statewide survey every two years since 1988.

The first Red Ribbon Celebration was organized in 1986 by a grassroots organization of parents concerned about the destruction caused by alcohol and drug abuse.

The red ribbon was adopted as a symbol of the movement in honor of Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, an agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration who was kidnapped and killed while investigating drug traffickers.

The campaign has reached millions of children and has been recognized by the U.S. Congress.

"Red Ribbon Week is a chance to be visible and vocal in our desire for a drug-free community," said Lisa Williams, BMS vice-principal. "Research shows that children are less likely to use alcohol and other drugs when parents and other role models are clear and consistent in their opposition to substance use and abuse."