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TISD celebrates freedom from drugs By JASON SCHAEFER Red Ribbon Week is the time for parents, teachers, children and schools to celebrate freedom from drug abuse — the theme of this year’s Red Ribbon Week. From Oct. 27 to Oct. 31, Taylor schools will “say NO to drugs” in a variety of ways, from drug education and activities to presentations on how to build the courage to resist peer pressure. The National Red Ribbon Campaign was established in 1985 to help keep children and teens from getting involved in illegal drugs and abusing prescriptions. According to the National Red Ribbon Campaign Web site, in the U.S. more than 3 million teens abuse prescription drugs and more than 3,000 begin experimenting with them every day. T.H. Johnson Elementary is starting drug education early with the theme of helping children make healthy choices. “Overall it’s working on teamwork this year. We try to do something so as a team, we can beat drugs,” T.H. Johnson Principal Jennifer Patschke said. Whether it’s making a chain out of red construction paper to be linked around the building or guidance counselors holding specific lessons on drug awareness, the week will be geared toward teaching children to make good decisions about what to put in their bodies. Taylor schools will tie in nutrition, with H-E-B donating fresh fruit and books to the children to encourage them to eat healthy and do their homework. “It’s all about making good choices and being a problem-solver and a thinker,” Patschke said. The schools will need parents to volunteer and help decorate the schools in red and to sort out ribbons that each child will receive and prizes they may win in activities throughout the week. Taylor schools will also have speakers and see presentations to promote drug awareness.
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