Smithtown Horizons and Youth Bureau Hold Drug Awareness Campaign for Red Ribbon Week
The Town of Smithtown Horizons Counseling and Education Center is teaming up with the Smithtown Youth Bureau to encourage Smithtown township K-12 students to participate in a creative and fun initiative. Students are invited to create their own artwork using this year’s Red Ribbon theme, Celebrate Life - Live Drug Free. Artwork should illustrate the ways you personally celebrate life naturally without drugs. Students can draw, color, paint, or even use computer graphics to artistically edit a photo. Participants should put their initials, age and school on their piece of artwork. Town Certificates of Community Service for 1 hour of service will be provided for students in grades 6-12. Students in grades K-5 will receive a Certificate of Participation.
“We are excited to once again celebrate Red Ribbon Week and showcase all of the artwork that the young people in the community create. There are so many ways to experience life in a fun and healthy way without the use of drugs and alcohol. It is important to highlight this information because too many teens think they must use a substance in order to fit in. We need to educate our community that most kids are not using drugs and alcohol.” - Kelly DeVito, Horizons Youth Services Coordinator
According to RedRibbon.org, children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those whose parents do not. Yet, only a quarter of teens surveyed report having these types of conversations. Alcohol and drug use has reached near epidemic levels, and it is important to be open and honest about these issues so that the stigma of addiction is taken away.
An online gallery will be posted on the official Town of Smithtown website showcasing all student artwork. Red Ribbon coloring sheet templates are also available on the Horizons Counseling and Education Center website for younger participants. To send in your artwork, email a photo of your completed artwork to kdevito@smithtownny.gov. All submissions are due by October 21st.
About the National Red Ribbon Week Campaign:
National Family Partnership is the sponsor of the National Red Ribbon Week Celebration. They are helping citizens across the country come together to keep children, families and communities safe, healthy and drug-free, through parent training, networking and sponsoring the National Red Ribbon Campaign. It is an ideal way for people and communities to unite and take a visible stand against drugs. Show your personal commitment to a drug-free lifestyle through the symbol of the Red Ribbon, October 23-31. Visit www.redribbon.org to learn more about Red Ribbon Week and to get helpful tips regarding talking to your kids about drugs. The life you save may be that of your own child or a dear friend.