ASAP educates school kids about drugs

FORT SILL, Okla. -- The Fort Sill Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) partnered with the two elementary schools on post to educate young students on drug awareness.

It was part of ASAP activities during the Red Ribbon campaign the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation reaching millions of young people during Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 23 through 31.

The Red Ribbon Week theme was "Love Yourself, Be Drug Free," said Janice Carter, Fort Sill ASAP Prevention Coordinator manager. She was joined by McGruff the Crime Dog (Dale Keesee, ASAP prevention coordinator) and Lawton Public School counselors at Geronimo Road and Sheridan Road elementary schools Oct. 28 and 29, respectively.

"We want the little ones to know how important it is to say no to drugs," she said. "We believe starting at this age that we can influence."

At the school, McGruff met with pre-K through third graders to convey the message to take a stand against drugs.

Carter said she was sure the children would tell their parents and siblings about McGruff and the visit, "and we encourage parents to be active and to participate in Red Ribbon week be it through conversation, or interacting with their children in the community."

ASAP provided age appropriate giveaways, such as activity books, coloring books, pencils, rulers, erasers, crayons, book markers and red ribbons all sporting the drug free message.

The schools got into the spirit of the week with red ribbons tied around the grounds, red ribbon signs and bulletin boards with anti-drug messages, as well as activities, Carter said.

"We know this education is going on and we want to make sure that we can do our part for our children," she said.

Additionally, ASAP supported the campaign by tying red ribbons at Polo Field, Patriot Club and at some of the gates on post, as well as running information on the Sheridan Road marquee.

ASAP also encouraged military units to provide at least one hour of annual substance abuse training and display drug awareness materials and to provide handouts to Soldiers during Red Ribbon Week.

The Red Ribbon campaign was started when drug traffickers in Mexico City murdered DEA agent Kiki Camarena in 1985. This began the continuing tradition of displaying Red Ribbons as a symbol of intolerance toward illegal drug use. The mission of the Red Ribbon Campaign is to present a unified and visible commitment toward the creation of a drug free America.