Seoul American pupils commit to
drug-free life with Red Ribbon Campaign
By B.R. Sargent, Seoul
bureau
Andy Dunaway / Stars and Stripes
Jullian Woodhouse, 11, center, signs his name to the Red Ribbon Campaign banner. |
YONGSAN GARRISON — Seoul American Middle School pupils signed a
pledge last week to remain drug free for life.
They sealed the promise with traditional red ribbons.
The Red Ribbon Campaign is recognized every year at the school Oct.
22-26.
It brings drug awareness to the 600 sixth-, seventh-, and
eighth-graders.
Red ribbons were first passed out by the friends and family of
Enrique Camarena, a U.S. agent who was killed in 1985 in the line of duty by Mexican drug
traffickers.
The National Red Ribbon Campaign began three years later.
“I signed the pledge because I’m drug-free,” said
11-year-old Adam Alguire. “If somebody asks me to do drugs, I’ll just walk
away.”
“I want everybody to know that I’m gonna be
drug-free,” said Jullian Woodhouse, 11.
“I plan to stay away from people who do drugs, so I won’t
fall to peer pressure.”
The campaign’s goal is to raise pupils’ awareness, said
Jamel Bailey, middle school counselor.
Jamel Bailey, Seoul American Middle School counselor, hands Julio Diaz, 11, a
promise card. |
“We’re trying to make children aware that they really need
to avoid drugs and alcohol,” Bailey said.
“It’s hard to avoid something you don’t know anything
about.”
Bailey and another counselor, Maryann Porter, arranged different
educational activities at the school each day.
Students from Seoul American High School presented topics on drug and
alcohol use during a seminar.
By week’s end, pupils won prizes based upon their knowledge of
the subject.
“The drug fight starts in kindergarten” Bailey said.
“If it [the information] gets to one kid, it’s helped.”
Julio Diaz got the message.
“Say ‘No’ to people who offer you drugs,” said
the 11-year-old sixth-grader. “Just say ‘No.’ ”
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