RIBBONS PROCLAIM DRUG FREE; STUDENTS, WORKERS WEAR RED RIBBONS

Students and employees in Cape Girardeau and Jackson next week will show their commitment to a drug-free, healthy lifestyle.

The students and employees will display and wear red ribbons during Red Ribbon Week. Red Ribbon Week, which starts Sunday, is being celebrated nationwide to symbolize a drug-free lifestyle. Missouri's slogan is "Show Me Drug Free."

The promotion is a joint effort of the Missouri Federation of Parents for Drug Free Youth, and the State of Missouri, Department of Mental Health, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, to raise public awareness of substance abuse as a problem that can be addressed in a positive manner at the community level.

Cape Girardeau Public Schools Superintendent Neyland Clark said he and other members of the district's administrative staff would probably distribute the ribbons to businesses throughout Cape Girardeau today. In Jackson the ribbons will be distributed beginning Sunday.

"The campaign brings all kinds of people together in support of our youth and their desire to grow up in a drug-free community," said David Dirnberger, who is helping to coordinate the Jackson effort. "Wearing red and supporting Red Ribbon activities during the week symbolizes united commitment."

Dirnberger said, "We are distributing red ribbons to all the students and all the business people." Businesses will also display large red ribbons on doors, he said.

Schools, churches, businesses and community groups are all working together to promote Red Ribbon Week in Jackson. Jackson public and private schools have planned activities for each day of the week.

"One day, students are supposed to wear red," said Dirnberger. "They have also scheduled speakers and programs throughout the week."

At Cape Girardeau, Clark said the district's schools would also have related activities during the week. Notre Dame High School is not taking part in the promotion.

Representatives from Cape Girardeau Public Schools will ask businesses to distribute the ribbons to their employees so the public can see the businesses are working with the schools, and that they want everyone to be aware of the issue, said Clark.

"They'll be wearing them on their lapels. They're just little red ribbons that say, `Cape Public Schools Drug Free.'"

Clark said 500 to 700 ribbons will be passed out.

"We want the community to get involved and working collectively with the schools regarding the issues of drugs and alcohol," he said. "I might add that many of the businesses in the community have been very receptive in working with the schools in regard to this issue."

Richard Bollwerk, director of elementary education at the Cape Girardeau Public Schools, said that students in some of the district's schools will wear the ribbons. Not enough ribbons exist for all the students to wear, he said.

Clark, superintendent in Cape Girardeau since July, said both of the last two districts he worked at participated in the red ribbon promotion. One was in Bullitt County, Ky., a suburb of Louisville. The other was in Brown County in south-central Indiana.

"I've been in three states and all three states are participating in the Red Ribbon Week. It's certainly a worthwhile program. It certainly has a lot of people involved."