Concrete Schools Celebrate Red Ribbon Week with a Unique Contest

Concrete middle and high school students participated in a door decorating contest in honor of Red Ribbon Week, one of the nation’s largest and longest running drug use prevention campaigns. This year’s theme was “Celebrate Life. Live Drug Free.” and students put their creativity and heart into that message.

In 1988, Red Ribbon Week was established by the National Family Partnership to raise awareness of the harm and destruction caused by drugs. Each year from October 23-31, communities across the nation unite and take a visible stand against substance misuse. The Red Ribbon mobilizes communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities.

This year’s theme was developed by three 7th graders at Wayland-Cohocton Middle School in Wayland, New York, as a reminder that we are all empowered with shaping the communities around us through positivity, bravery, and strength.

The door decorating contest at the Concrete middle and high schools was organized by the Concrete Prevention Posse (CPP), a student group dedicated to bettering the health of themselves and their community through meaningful projects, leadership development, and fun activities and events. It is open to any middle and high school students who want to make a positive difference.

Through the contest, the CPP wanted to show what most Concrete students think of living drug-free, to correct the common misperception that most young people use drugs and alcohol. The CPP plans to conduct additional Positive Social Norms messaging throughout the school year to show their peers and the community that in Concrete, youth choose to celebrate life and live drug free.

Concrete Prevention Posse is supported by the Concrete Resource Coalition, a Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative funded through the Washington State Health Care Authority and coordinated by United General District 304. To get involved with the Coalition or the Concrete Prevention Posse, contact Coordinator Marlena White at Marlena.White@UnitedGeneral.org. And follow the Concrete Resource Coalition on Facebook to learn about the great work being done in the community!