VC Students Observe Red Ribbon Week

Opheim School and Glasgow Middle School (GMS) observed Red Ribbon Week Oct. 24 through 28, with Glasgow wrapping up their observation on the 31st with a school assembly meeting Goose, the Valley County's sheriff's drug dog and a door decorating contest.

Glasgow had theme days such as Pair Up Against Drug Twin Day, dress like a twin with a friend; Use Your Head, wear your favorite hat; Scare Away Drugs, dress like your favorite superhero; and Red-Y To Live Drug Free, wear Red. Opheim had similar theme days with Stop Drugs, wear red; Put A Cap On Drug, wear a hat; Sock It To Drugs, wear your favorite socks; and Block Drugs, wear sunglasses.

In addition to dressing up for theme days, Glasgow Middle School students took out their creativity and made sure the message of living drug free was everywhere they turned by decorating their classroom doors. Doors were decorated with various anti-drug messages and images, and the morning of Oct. 31, contest winners were announced. "A lot of creativity went into these doors," stated GMS counselor Nicole Boos. First place winner went to Mrs. Weber, followed by Ms. Walsh for second place and Mrs. Jamba in third place.

The Valley County Sheriff's Department and the Glasgow Police Department also got involved in the observance of the week by educating fourth and fifth grade students at Irle Elementary as well as provided a school assembly at Glasgow Middle School. Each presentation included the introduction of one of the newest members to the Valley County Sheriff's Office, Goose, the county's drug dog. His handler, Sheriff Deputy Joe Tihlarik, provided information on Goose's role in locating drugs as well as answered questions on how many hours it took for training, how he became part of the County and the Force as well as what they like to do in their free time.

The Glasgow High School also got into the action by participating in the 12th annual National Red Ribbon Week Photo Contest, with the theme of "Celebrate Life, Live Drug Free." Jill Page, who organized the school's participation stated, "We are posting this in order to raise awareness at our school and community about living drug free. Our class is hoping to bring awareness to students that drugs cause destruction and hurt. We are hoping to remind everyone to Live Drug Free!" Voting for the contest is open through Nov. 16 with winners announced on Dec. 3. Anyone can vote by following the link: http://wshe.es/QMcU8I1h.

Every year during the last week in October, the country comes together for National Red Ribbon Week. This week-long observance is considered the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation. The campaign focuses on the mission of keeping kids drug free. The week is the nation's largest and longest-running drug-use prevention campaign, established by National Family Partnership, formerly the National Federation of Parents for Drug Free Youth in 1980 by a handful of concerned and determined parents who were convinced they should begin to play a leadership role in drug prevention.