FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. -- General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital providers and medical specialists spent a day with Waynesville High School's Health class in effort to inform and gain individual student commitment toward a drug-free lifestyle.
The Red Ribbon became the symbol for reducing the demand of illegal drugs following the kidnapping, torture and murder of Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena in 1985.
Today, the annual Red Ribbon Campaign Week is a unified and visible nationwide service effort that shows a commitment to reduce substance abuse, violence and destruction that accompany substance abuse, and to celebrate taking action toward a drug-free lifestyle.
The Red Ribbon Campaign event at WHS, organized by GLWACH's Preventive Medicine division, allowed GLWACH physicians to discuss their first-hand experiences with prescribing and caring for patients addicted to prescription drugs such as opioids.
Army Substance Abuse and Prevention Specialist, Billy Hallmark, tailored information about Army programs and services designed to deter, prevent, educate and rehabilitate Soldiers in support of the Army Mission, to interest and relate to students in their school and home environments.
Small group discussions followed the presentations.
"Small groups allow students to get a little more in depth into the specific information they're curious about," said Capt. Shantyl Galloway, GLWACH Public Health Nurse.
"I really feel like it's very important for y'all to be here and talk to everybody," said WHS Freshman Shaleisha Molinar. "A lot of kids are curious and I feel some students really need this."
By the end of the day, more than 150 student signatures filled a banner, each signifying a pledge to remain smoke-free for a year. The banner will be on display in their school for the rest of the school year.
"Students asked some really good questions that sparked some very pertinent conversation to their high school setting," Galloway said.
(Editor's note: John Brooks is the marketing specialist at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital)
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