When students think of October, they think of the color black for Halloween, but what about the color red? This week Clark Magnet has woven red ribbons around every crevice, nook and cranny so all students see is red. However, it’s the red, elastic bracelets that clue the students into what week it is: Red Ribbon Week.

According to the school bulletin, Red Ribbon Week “serves as a vehicle for communities and individuals to take a stand for the hopes and dreams of our children through a commitment to drug prevention and education and a personal commitment to live drug free lives with the ultimate goal being the creation of drug free America.”

Since 1985, the Red Ribbon organization has been raising awareness about the destruction drugs cause, by reaching out to various schools and families. In addition to the red bracelets and pamphlets, a pledge is also given to people so they could swear off drugs and promise to keep their children away from the harmful substance.

What motivated this organization was the death of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. Camarena was kidnapped and tortured by Mexican drug traffickers and murdered a month later. To commemorate his memory and his fight against drugs, the Red Ribbon organization was created and awareness was spread throughout America.

“I believe it’s a good thing to bring forth to the school and the community,” said Judy Sanzo, the Red Ribbon coordinator, “This gives us an opportunity to do something against harmful things like drugs.” Sanzo has already distributed to all classes the red bracelets, which promote the new Red Ribbon theme “Love Yourself…Be Drug Free.”. The daily bulletin also includes a fact about drug use among teenagers for each day of Red Ribbon Week.

“I’m glad we’re participating in something as important as this,” Sanzo said. “Words and hands hurt, and so do drugs.”