In 1988, President Reagan and Mrs. Reagan chaired an eight-day campaign (entitled Red Ribbon Week) in honor of a fallen Narcotics Agent, Enrique Camarena.

Today, more than 80 million young people and adults show their commitment to a healthy, drug-free life by celebrating Red Ribbon Week.

Centre Elementary School culminated a week long celebration of Red Ribbon Week recently with an assembly program featuring

Chas Clifton with the Cherokee County Drug Task Force talking with the students about the dangers of drugs.

Special guest K. D. Frost also encouraged the students to say No to drugs by telling them some of the dangers and pitfalls that are involved with drug use.

At the end of the program, Ann Beddingfield with Centre Elementary School escorted students outside where they enjoyed a balloon release to finalize their week of learning about drugs and their dangers.

Many of the students were dressed in red and many were dressed in Halloween costumes as Friday October 28 was a day to scare away drugs!

Cedar Bluff and Spring Garden Schools had a drug-free theme daily with correlating dress-up days for the elementary schools. The students were encouraged to participate in anti-drug contests, sign a banner to be drug-free and several guest speakers were invited to the schools to increase drug awareness.

Cherokee County Deputy Chas Clifton talked to the elementary schools, and Laura Browder and Cindy Smith (Gadsden Treatment Center Counselors) educated Spring Garden high school students on drugs. One of the daily themes was “Be a Star…Don’t Do Drugs,” and several “star” athletes and local “celebrities” came to the schools and encouraged all students to be drug-free in order to achieve life goals and dreams.

The administrators, faculty and staff at Cedar Bluff and Spring Garden Schools would like to thank all of the guest speakers, students, and parents for contributing to a successful Red Ribbon Week.

And local law enforcement and community leaders urge students to remember Red Ribbon Week throughout the year and to committee themselves to being drug free!