Red Ribbon week is October 22 to October 26 and is a time to raise awareness about the use of drugs and to sponsor prevention of drug use.

During Red Ribbon week the local schools along with the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses paint the town red by placing red ribbons throughout. Local law enforcement also visits schools in the area.

”We have officers going to the schools and speaking to the kids to raise awareness on drug use, and this event always goes along with our DARE program,” said Lieutenant Detective Tony Pyle of the Calhoun City Police Department.

Both Gordon County Schools and Calhoun City Schools hold an annual art competition, and this year’s winners have been announced.

Olivia Martin of Sonoraville Elementary, Preston Rhodes of Calhoun Elementary, Maluz Centeno of Tolbert Elementary, Jacquelyn Perez of Belwood Elementary, Carol-Ann Worsham of Ashworth Middle, Jessica Tucker of Calhoun Middle, and Mauricio Gonzales of Sonoraville Middle.

All first place posters will be placed on the annual art poster. The winning art will be on display for the public at the Harris Art Center in November and the winning recipients and their families will be honored at the Art Reception.

Over the past week, CHS FBLA members have been creating Red Ribbons to distribute to local businesses around the downtown area.

The Gordon County Chamber of Commerce has always “painted the town red” for the National Red Ribbon Week, October 22 to October 26. This year they partnered with CHS FBLA members as a way to get students involved and connected with our local businesses.

National Red Ribbon Week is a time for promotion of Drug Awareness in the local schools, businesses and communities. Throughout the next week CHS students will learn more about Drug Awareness through activities, videos, and speakers that will occur during their Construction Zone time.

The Gordon County Schools have designated theme days this week and students have enjoyed the opportunity to dress up in support of the county wide Red Ribbon initiative. Some schools have scheduled assemblies to share with students the advantages to remaining drug free and students have been provided with red ribbons and temporary tattoos donated by the Chamber of Commerce.

“Gordon County School’s drug free message is not limited to one week each year. We strive to share age appropriate information with students through our school counseling and health education programs and as an active drug free workplace. We routinely share information with faculty and staff regarding substance abuse prevention and intervention,” Jeff Clance, Director of Student Services Gordon County Schools, said.

Along with the annual art competition, painting the town red and the designated theme days there will also be a nation wide competition that families can take part in with a chance to win an iPad.

The National Family Partnership (NFP) announces the national contest for its 27th annual Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 23 through 31.

Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country, and reaches more than 80 million people nationwide

“Students will once again take Red Ribbon Week’s message of prevention home to their neighborhoods with this national contest,” NFP’s Volunteer President Peggy Sapp said. “By decorating their homes together with this year’s Red Ribbon theme, families carry the message to their communities.”

To participate in the contest families and students will decorate the front of their homes with this year’s message: “The Best Me Is Drug Free.”

Families can get involved by entering the contest to promote awareness in their neighborhoods and win a drug prevention grant for their schools.

Families can enter the contest to win a $1,000 grant for their school and a new iPad for their home.

Here’s how students and their families can enter to win:

Students bring the Red Ribbon Week message home by working alongside parents to decorate their front door, mailbox, fence, etc. with this year’s theme “The Best Me Is Drug Free.”

Take a photo with the family and their Red Ribbon Week decoration, and then upload the photo to www.redribbon.org/contest or www.facebook.com/RedRibbonWeek by Nov. 2 (must be parents or 18 and older to upload photos).

Ask family and friends to vote for your entry at www.redribbon.org/vote Nov. 2 through 16. Ten lucky winners from regions across the U.S. will win.

Winners will be announced at events at their winning schools in December.

In 1988 after the murder of a DEA agent, parents, youth and teachers in communities across the country began wearing red ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness of the destruction caused by drugs. The DEA is co-sponsoring this year’s national contest.

“DEA is excited to partner with the NFP on this contest that empowers communities to come together to talk about the drug problem,” DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart said. “Red Ribbon Week is also when we honor DEA Special Agent Enrique ‘Kiki’ Camarena, who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our communities safe.”

Visit www.redribbon.org/contest for contest information.