“Put drugs to rest”
NORTH JACKSON
Jackson-Milton Elementary students sported their pajamas as their way to contribute to putting a drug epidemic to sleep.
“By wearing our pajamas, we are putting drugs to rest,” said third-grader Amani Yasin.
When asked why students should wear their pajamas during the day of Red Ribbon Week, third-grader Olivia Stuart said: “So we let other people know that we don’t do drugs and will stay drug-free.”
“Your Future Is Key, So Stay Drug Free” is the national theme for Red Ribbon Week.
Wearing pajamas for Red Ribbon Week, a week dedicated to educating students about drug abuse and prevention, isn’t a new concept.
“Each year we want to instill a new idea to help students understand and be aware of the drug problem we have not just here, but everywhere,” said school counselor Christine Ginnis. “Today’s theme shows them that our dreams are simply too big for drugs.”
Ginnis said she enjoys being able to get the students excited about celebrating drug-abuse prevention.
“I think all of our kids need to be aware now, more than ever,” she said.
Normally, Ginnis said students in fifth and sixth grades get Drug Abuse Resistance Education, but this year during Red Ribbon Week Jackson-Milton Schools saw fit to give all grades the education. DARE is a K-12 education program that addresses drugs, violence, bullying, internet safety and other high-risk circumstances that are a part of students’ lives.
“We just want to educate our kids to not use drugs even when it is sometimes close to them with family or friends,” Ginnis said. “We are educating across the board with the goal of prevention for everyone.”
The themes for the remainder of the week are:
Today: “I’m tickled pink that we don’t do drugs”; students should dress in pink.
Wednesday: “Our future is too bright to do drugs”; students should wear the brightest colors they can find.
Thursday: “Drugs are not cool in any decade”; students should dress according to their favorite decade.
Friday: “Hocus pocus drugs are not our focus”; students will wear their Halloween costumes in the afternoon for the parade and party.