Organizations unite for drug, alcohol prevention

oman stepped up to the microphone and spoke softly at first.

Soon parent Earline Jones’ voice rose as she urged the 150 spectators at the Red Ribbon Week Kickoff Celebration at the Veterans Park Amphitheatre to help keep children off drugs and alcohol Monday afternoon.

“I encourage parents to be diligent about their children,” said Jones, the mother of two grown children. “Pay attention to their attitude changes and friends because it only takes a moment to lose our children. The average age for children to get involved in marijuana is 14 years old.

“We must watch over our children for each other. Our children are dear to us. We must pray for our teachers and our school children to just say no to drugs. And, please, let’s not lose another child to drug abuse.”

The crowd on the overcast day applauded loudly for Jones’ passionate plea. Monday was the start of the Dougherty County School System’s observance of the annual Red Ribbon Week, which is an alcohol, tobacco, drug and violence prevention awareness campaign observed annually.

The singing of Westover Comprehensive High School’s 51-student choir, directed by Selina Bentley, was one of the event’s highlights. Near the end of the program, the students sang Emmylou Harris’ “Bright Morning Stars.” With the girls decked out in beautiful red gowns and the boys in tuxedos, the choir stood out as much for its presentation as it did for its vocal abilities.

Making the choir’s efforts even more impressive was its poise in spite of several noisy distractions coming from adjacent Oglethorpe Boulevard, including a police siren and an industrial lawnmower.

“The meaning of the songs we sing helps us to get past the chaos that’s around us,” Westover choir member Jennifer John said of the distractions. “It’s important (to be here performing) because so many young people are doing (drugs and alcohol) that we’ve chosen to step out of the box and speak out for drug awareness.”

Tyrell Collins, a senior tenor, also liked singing at the Red Ribbon event.

“I enjoy singing, and it’s good that we stand up for not doing drugs,” he said.

The Red Ribbon Week Kickoff Celebration featured various city and school organizations with displays and art projects. The displays included anti-smoking material such as “Chokenhagen Snuff, it’s addictive” and a poster that read “Sooner or later, drug abusers get carried away” with a picture of a casket.

“Our Safe and Drug-Free Schools Coordinator Barbara Turner has a tradition of providing great reminders of the critical value of saving lives and keeping kids off drugs,” DCSS Public Information Director R.D. Harter said. “Today represents a small public piece of her work in our schools.”

Harter said each of the county’s 26 public schools had red ribbon-tying activities Monday and would have special activities throughout the week to remind students “that a good life begins with an alcohol- and drug-free lifestyle,” Harter said.