HIGH LIFE: A WEEKLY FORUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS : Tying Ribbons to Awareness

Red Ribbon Week, the annual anti-drug celebration, is under way, and participants are again being asked to wear red ribbons to show their support of the goal of preventing the use of illegal drugs and the wrongful use of legal drugs such as alcohol and tobacco.

Events, scheduled throughout the county, will continue through Nov. 1.

However, Hot Topics wonders, “How effective or ineffective are Red Ribbon Weeks in the war on drugs?”

“They have kept me from taking drugs all my life.”

Kevin Cheung, 15,

sophomore, Katella

“Teens have pretty much made up their minds about whether or not to use drugs. Little red ribbons won’t do anything.”

Ann Nguyen, 17,

senior, Mater Dei

“If everyone comes together and takes Red Ribbon Week seriously and shows their enthusiasm, then people who do drugs would see this and it would make a difference.”

Amy Ball, 16,

sophomore, Corona del Mar

“It’s hypocrisy at its best.”

John Hendrickson, 17,

senior, Huntington Beach

“They’re somewhat effective because they teach us about the drug problem, and we get a chance to talk about it.”

Jennifer Bell, 14,

freshman, St. Margaret’s

“Ineffective because the people who wear red ribbons are not the target group. We may be preventing people who may fall to using drugs, but we are not changing the minds of any users.”

Steve Dawson, 17,

senior, El Dorado

“The problem is that there isn’t enough emphasis on the actual issue the ribbons are representing. It seems to be just one week of publicity and then the issue is dropped.”

Stefani Dalla Corte, 17,

senior, Whittier Christian

“Knowing that there are other people who do not do drugs or drink alcohol makes me feel better about my decision to deny the chance to experience drugs.”

Jennie Hartmann, 15,

sophomore, Edison

“Federal funding is by far a better weapon against drugs than a ribbon. Though awareness and education of the masses is essential, funding, rehabilitation centers and the authorities on the front line (are) by far a better means of attack.”

Brian Bolger, 16,

junior, Trabuco Hills

“They are effective. They are meeting their objective to create awareness among people about drugs.”

April Shiery, 15,

sophomore, California Lutheran

“They’re ineffective because too much money is already made in narcotics, so why end something that’s bringing money to corrupt authorities? They’re a good idea, but the reality is: We’re never gonna win it. It’s wasting a lot of money.”

Ruby Ayala, 18,

senior, Garden Grove

“They do help because it’s something, and something is better than nothing.”

Kiet Tran, 16,

junior, Los Amigos

“The concept of encouraging our youth to keep off drugs is essentially important. However, this method has been rendered ineffective for quite some time. It’s time we put our tax dollars into something that works.”

Bryan Cotta, 16,

junior, Laguna Hills

“I think they are ineffective because I don’t see a decrease of drug users, just an increase.”

Arturo Flores, 14,

freshman, St. Michael’s Prep

“I see Red Ribbon Week as a symbol of the war on drugs, and it certainly brings new awareness of the drug problem to the schools. However, a symbol isn’t going to make the problem go away. The red ribbon basically has a short-term effect; for those who aren’t actively involved in a drug-fighting program, it’s easily forgotten.”

Sachi White, 16,

junior, Brea-Olinda

“Red Ribbon Weeks are ineffective because the people who are doing the drugs are going to do them regardless. And those who are smart enough not to do them, won’t.”

Karen Rubin, 15,

sophomore, Rancho Alamitos

“They don’t work because ribbons won’t stop people from smoking dope.”

Lashawnekwo Hernandez, 18,

senior, University

“Drugs are such a mammoth problem, and the red ribbons are so tiny. . . . You can’t solve such a big problem with a little ribbon. Also, there are so many red ribbons with so many different meanings, such as red ribbons for AIDS prevention and red ribbons for drugs. People get confused.”

Rachelle Mendoza, 16,

junior, Mater Dei

“They help people who do not do drugs and people who are considering drugs. They help them reconsider it, giving it a second thought.”

Jennifer Nylander, 14,

freshman, Garden Grove

“They don’t affect it one bit. People are saying ‘Don’t use drugs,’ but it really doesn’t reach the kids who are using drugs.”

John Ha, 17,

senior, Los Amigos

“They are effective as constant reminders for our teen-agers to abstain from substance abuse.”

Raymond Webb, 17,

senior, Laguna Hills

“The red ribbon is just a symbol. If you’re going to be persuaded to stop doing drugs, you need a real-life example.”

Jamie Fatheree, 16,

junior, St. Margaret’s

“Red Ribbon Weeks are effective in the war on drugs because they show everyone how many people disapprove of the use of drugs. It shows the drug users how they are looked upon because of their habit. It’s a great program because of how easy it is to get involved--just wear a red ribbon.”

James Provencher, 16,

junior, El Dorado

“Instead of handing out ribbons that go to waste, use the money to hire counselors to help students reject and get off drugs.”

Jaime Ruiz, 16,

junior, Edison

“They’re very effective. They’re a symbol that everyone recognizes, and when you see many people wearing them, it shows you how many people want to fight the war against drugs.”

Erin Danks, 17,

senior, Brethren Christian

“Reds Ribbon Weeks are kind of effective while they’re happening. But after they are over things go back to normal.”

Anna Kelly, 15,

sophomore, Rancho Alamitos

“Their work is very ineffective. Educating children about drugs should be the parents’ job.”

Elena Barrientos, 15,

sophomore, California Lutheran

“I have known about Red Ribbon Week for awhile, but it has proven ineffective because people think it’s dumb. People who are already on drugs are probably affected the least because what they need is one-on-one counseling, which Red Ribbon Week doesn’t provide.”

David Wong, 14,

sophomore, University

“They are great because they send the message to the kids that it is cool to be drug-free.”

John Pang, 17,

senior, Huntington Beach

“Wearing a red ribbon really doesn’t prove anything. It’s better than nothing, but people could be doing a lot more.”

Tim Chi, 16,

junior, Corona del Mar

“They work for the people who participate, but for the other people, I don’t really think they work.”

James Do, 13,

freshman, Katella

“Red Ribbon Week works on those who feel they need the help. Personally, I wouldn’t let a red ribbon get in the way of what I want to do. But, then again, I’m already drug-free.”

Seth Snyder, 17,

senior, Brea-Olinda

“It seems to be a dead issue. We don’t have any discussions about it. Just passing out red ribbons for a week isn’t going to stop kids from using drugs. We need more discussions on the problems and side effects caused by drugs and more student involvement.”

Cary Hills, 17,

senior, Whittier Christian

“They are important, but the people who participate in them usually aren’t on drugs, and it doesn’t really affect those who are.”

Cheryl Kubota, 16,

senior, Marina

Next Week’s Hot Topic:

Given the opportunity to vote Tuesday, who would be your choice--and why--in the upcoming presidential election?