Red Ribbon Week is a week in which our students are reminded of the problems and dangers of taking illegal drugs. This awareness campaign is a national one, taking place during the last full week in October, encompassing both weekends. This year, Red Ribbon Week was observed in our schools during the week of Oct. 23 through 31.

This drug awareness campaign was created after a U.S. Drug Enforcement agent was killed in the line of duty in 1985, while investigating a drug cartel in Mexico. Hundreds of people, moved by this officer's story, pledged to live drug-free lives, and carry on the agent's goal of curbing the use of illegal drugs. They began to wear red ribbons as a symbol of that commitment. This campaign grew to encompass education programs in schools to motivate students' pledges to live a drug-free life.

At the James Caldwell High School in West Caldwell, all students were given custom JCHS wristbands, commemorating Red Ribbon Week. Students have been proudly wearing their bands, which say "I believe, I'm Drug Free".

As a district D.A.R.E. officer, I will be visiting fifth-grade classes, beginning in January, to continue the students' education on the drug and alcohol dilemmas that will be facing them as they get older, as well as empowering them to make drug-free decisions.

Parents can help, in this Red Ribbon Week campaign, by talking to their children about drug abuse, and setting clear rules. Monitoring children's behavior is an important part of staying involved and knowing about their activities. The partnership of parents and the schools will help give the students the tools they need to live a drug-free life.

For more information about how to keep your family drug free, visit www.drugfree.org.