From the Nov. 10, 2011 edition of The Wayne Herald:
Schools celebrate Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon Week was celebrated at Wayne Elementary and Wayne Middle Schools during the week of Oct. 24.
Members of the Wayne FRIEND's Drug Free Youth Group Leadership Team visited all elementary classrooms and explained the meaning of the Red Ribbon celebration, providing Red Ribbon Week pencils and stickers for all students.
Red Ribbon Week began in 1985 in California, following the kidnapping and death of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena. He was murdered by drug dealers during an undercover investigation of drug trafficking. His home community started the Red Ribbon Week campaign to honor his memory and to help stem the tide of drug-related deaths by helping people - especially young people - make the right choices about illegal drugs and alcohol.
Wayne Community Schools has celebrated Red Ribbon Week since 1990, when the Wayne FRIENDs group was formed by seventh and eighth grade students. "FRIEND" stands for "Facts Raising Interest Ending Needless Drugs."
This year, FRIENDs group decorated the middle school for Red Ribbon Week, and led students in celebrating each day of the week with a different theme. Monday was "Wear Red Day." Tuesday, students and staff said "Peace Out" to drugs and wore tie dye or hippie clothes. On Wednesday, the theme was "Give Drugs the Boot" and people came to school decked out in western wear. Thursday was "Black Out Drugs" Day and on Friday the theme was "Drugs are Ridiculous," which inspired all kinds of crazy outfits.
The Wayne FRIENDs appreciates the generous support of Wayne United Way for funding the portion of their activities.
