Countywide : Schools Tie Red Ribbon to Drug Dangers

Students throughout Orange County and across the nation will focus their attention next week on the message that drug abuse can kill, bankrupt and ruin lives.

During Red Ribbon Week, which begins Monday, fairs, rallies and performances featuring police officers, entertainers and former addicts will teach students about the dangers of substance abuse.

The use of red ribbons to symbolize opposition to substance abuse and the weeklong emphasis on education began as a tribute to federal Drug Enforcement Administration agent Enrique Camarena, who was tortured and killed by drug traffickers in 1985.

At three Santa Ana schools, students will get the message from opera singers. The Overture Company of Opera Pacific is visiting local schools to perform “The Not So Great Escape,” the story of a young man who feels alone within his proudly “perfect family” and is tempted to try crack cocaine as an escape.

A singing and dancing Houdini shows him what troubles are in store for him if he gives in to the temptation. Through a crystal ball, he sees the initial thrill of the drugs and then what he will have to do to keep up his habit: steal from his family and deal on the side.

He ends up arrested and doing more chores through community service than he ever did at home. More unhappy than ever, he does more drugs and overdoses.

Composer David Cohen said he tried to create a credible show about drugs.

“Most are too preachy,” he said, “or they are too black and white.” Instead, he said, he wanted to show that drugs “are attractive, but you pay a very heavy price for them.”

He succeeded, judging by the reaction of an audience at Andersen Elementary School in Newport Beach, where fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders saw the show Thursday.

“Instead of just saying, ‘Just say no,’ like most grown-ups do, it sort of explained why not in a kids’ type of way,” fourth-grader Griffin Gentry said.

Said fifth-grader Taylor Decker, “I thought it was really neat and educational.”

At Andersen and schools across the county where similar events are planned, students will be asked to show their support for the anti-drug message by wearing red ribbons and red clothing and by writing essays on drug abuse or letters to the governor on the subject.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Red Ribbon Week Events

Here is a sampling of activities across Orange County during Red Ribbon Week, which begins Monday:

Buena Park

* Students will dress in red Wednesday, and Los Coyotes Elementary School kindergarten classes will plant red flowers provided by a local nursery on school grounds.

Fountain Valley

* The city has organized a 5K walk/run today through Mile Square Regional Park to raise money for DARE programs.

Fullerton

Pacific Christian College will present a musical at Acacia Elementary School on Friday.

Irvine

* As part of a “Pennies for Prevention” campaign, Venado Middle School students will collect pennies during the week for the school’s DARE program.

Laguna Beach

* El Morro Elementary School will hold a free-throw basketball contest Tuesday to promote sports as an alternative to drugs.

Mission Viejo

* A pep rally at Fred Newhart Elementary School on Monday with former alcohol and drug abusers who will speak about their experiences.

Newport Beach

* Andersen Elementary School students will piece together a quilt made of students’ pledges not to use drugs.

Tustin

Hewes Middle School will sponsor a drug-free and healthful choices poetry contest Friday.

Westminster

* Gail Martinez, whose son was killed by a drunken driver near Eastwood Elementary School, will speak to students at the school Wednesday.

* Students at McGarvin Intermediate School on Friday will assemble a quilt of 450 to 500 patches illustrating attributes of healthful living.