Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 1, 1995                   TAG: 9511010058
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: LESLIE HAGER-SMITH STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Medium

RADFORD SCHOOL'S RED RIBBON SENDS ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE

The festivities marked the culmination of Radford's participation in National Red Ribbon Week, aimed at promoting a drug-free America.

The ceremony outside the school building brought Red Ribbon Week to a close, said Principal Richard G. Glass, but the threat posed by drugs continues. Citing Tuesday's headlines regarding a drug sweep in Montgomery County involving 45 people, he expressed to the students his "hope to offer you alternatives which will help you say 'no' to drugs."

Guidance counselor Priscilla Moore, organizer of the day's activities, echoed his message. "Our main goal is to introduce them to drug prevention techniques before they begin smoking, drinking, or taking other drugs," she said.

Last week, red ribbons began sprouting from lapels and posters popped up in shop windows in Radford saying "Drug Free - the Smart Way to Be."

Red Ribbon Week, spearheaded locally by The New River Valley Prevention Coalition, is a national observation prompted by the 1985 torture and murder of Drug Enforcement Agency agent Enrique Camarena by drug warlords.

During the course of the week, teachers handed out red ribbons, rulers, pencils and bookmarks to underscore the anti-drug message. Grade levels competed for the best-decorated door and posters decked the hallways. Red clothes, red cookies and even red Jello were part of the fun that accompanied the serious message. "Say no to drugs," the students echoed, when asked what the week meant.

Do they think they'll stay drug-free?

"I know I will," said Hillary Hayes, a sixth-grader whose sureness seemed convincing as she clutched the scarlet streamer.

Best Wishes and Valley Florists donated the ribbon to the schools.

As approximately 350 teachers and students wended their way over the lawn and through the school's hallways, ribbon in tow, Austin Wickline, a sixth-grader, pronounced the undertaking "Awesome!"

Asked if he concurred, fourth-grader Shane Ratliff admitted that he was excited - about Halloween. Then the school bell rang out and the children scattered in the drizzle.