Red Ribbon Week promotes student responsibility

NEWBERRY, Mich. (WLUC) – A school district in the eastern Upper Peninsula is encouraging students to commit to a drug- and bullying-free lifestyle.

Located just outside the Tahquamenon Area Schools Central Office, the banner features students, staff and parents pledging to stand against bullying and drugs.

It is part of an anti-drug and anti-bullying campaign called Red Ribbon Week, which began last Wednesday. The district cooperates with Communities that care (CTC), which aims to reduce rates of drug use and crime among teenagers.

Coordinator Jamie Rushford says it’s encouraging to see all these signatures.

“When we first published it, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I came back about a week later and it was almost full,” Rushford said.

CTC also runs courses on preventing drug, alcohol and tobacco use. Stacy Price, Tahquamenon Area School principal, says the banner is a visual representation of students’ commitment to self-improvement.

“It’s a way for students to come forward and say, ‘Hey, this isn’t OK, these aren’t things we should be dealing with,’” Price explained. “Saying no and constantly saying no to those who are not nice to other students.”

Rushford says simply presenting statistics to students is not an effective way to reduce drug use and bullying. He says the banner allows for a more effective strategy: accountability.

“We want to make sure that teenagers can connect with someone and who can they relate to the most? Their peers,” Rushford explained. “Seeing someone’s name helps them model good behavior, and we hope other teens will want to model that same positive behavior.”

Red Ribbon Week ends Oct. 31, but Price hopes these conversations will continue throughout the school year.