Students dressed in themed outfits and attending anti-drug assemblies and educational lectures while donning red ribbons all signify a nationally celebrated campaign titled Red Ribbon Week.
Schools throughout the U.S. celebrated Red Ribbon Week this week by taking a stand against drugs, alcohol and tobacco through activities and education.
Poplar Bluff R-1 and Twin Rivers R-X were among those school districts taking part in the campaign.
"Red Ribbon Week is the nationally recognized anti-drug effort that delivers one of the most important messages students will ever receive: that they have the choice to live a drug free life," Sheryl Talkington, RN and Director of Health Services at Poplar Bluff R-1 said. "This major event is dedicated to teaching drug prevention in schools and communities. Through classroom lessons and special events, children learn to say 'No' to drugs."
Each building within the Poplar Bluff R-1 School District held their own activities throughout the week and hosted dress-up days to bring attention and focus on a theme.
Some of those days included Western Day where students announced they were "roping drugs and dragging them away" and PJ Day where students are encouraged to follow their dreams and don't do drugs.
Talkington was able to provide participation contests prizes to students in first through sixth grades thanks to local business donations and by selling Red Ribbons. All students at the Kindergarten Center were also given pencils.
Any opportunity to educate students in helping to avoid drug abuse and illegal drug activity is critical, Talkington said, with early and repetitive education being very important.
In the wake of opioid issues, Talkington said abuse of prescription medications was covered more in depth this year.
"Prescription medications are often overlooked as a source of potential drug abuse," she said. "Whether that is taking someone else's medicines, sharing medications, taking them for the wrong reasons or taking more than is prescribed."
Education is the key to keeping students safe and making the right choices, especially when they find themselves in a pressure situation, Talkington added.
Not only during Red Ribbon Week, but throughout the school year, the Butler County Health Department, along with other community organizations, work together to bring drug education programs to the schools.
"It truly is a joint effort that is ongoing," Talkington said. "Our children are the future."
Activities were also held district wide at Twin Rivers such as dress-up days and a balloon release.
The high school's SADD Club also portrayed a drunk driving docudrama, one of the most eye-opening activities for students during Red Ribbon Week.
"I feel that this activity is one that really reaches home for our students," Twin Rivers High School SADD Sponsor WaWanna Nehrkorn said.
The district worked together with Sgt. Clark Parrott of the Missouri Highway Patrol as well as other highway patrol officers, Butler County EMS and fire, White Sanders Funeral Home, Jera Douglas who is the parent of a Twin Rivers student and SADD Club members to make the docudrama as realistic as possible.
"Students were educated on not only the effects of impaired driving, but on seat belt use and distracted driving," Nehrkorn said.
Following the docudrama, students who were involved read impact statements and Parrott spoke to the group.
A presentation was then held on the baseball field where names of all the teenagers who have died in traffic crashes from Oct. 19, 2017 to Oct. 8, 2018 were read. Diplomas were given in their names to provide impact of the situation.
A surprise seat belt check was conducted before school during Red Ribbon Week ahead of the docudrama.
"Only 63 percent of the students were wearing their seat belts," Nehrkorn said.
The purpose of Red Ribbon Week, she said, is a way to educate students about the effects and impact that drugs and alcohol have on families and the community.
"Red Ribbon Week is important for school districts to recognize because it provides an opportunity for the students to reflect on how their choices impact not just themselves but everyone else close to them," Nehrkorn said.