THE FIGHT IS ON TO BE
DRUG FREE!

Red Ribbon Rally Kicks Off 
at the Freeman Coliseum
200 5th and 6th graders celebrate Red Ribbon Week

This past Thursday San Antonio Fighting Back, Inc. took the fight against drugs to the Freeman Coliseum Steps.  “The fight is on to be drug free!” was shouted by over 200 5th and 6th grade students who were joined by the San Antonio Police Department, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement  Administration.  Together, along with District Attorney Susan Reed, Commissioner Tommy Adkisson, as well as Representatives Joe Farias and Ruth Jones McClendon, they kicked off the 22nd Annual Red Ribbon Week.

Red Ribbon Week takes place October 23rd-31st and celebrates the life of Kiki Camarena, a DEA agent, who was kidnapped and murdered in 1985 for his fight against Mexican Drug Barons.  The Red Ribbon became the symbol to show intolerance for drugs in our schools, work places, and communities.

Today, Marijuana remains the most commonly used illicit drug among students.  Thirty percent of all 7th-12th graders in 2004 reported having smoked marijuana at some point in their lives. 

“Since 1992, Fighting Back and its partners have been working to educate kids and teens about the consequences of drug use,” said Linda Tippins, Executive Vice President, SAFB.

Red Ribbon Rally is just a fun and creative way to reinforce the message that drugs are harmful and socially unacceptable, added Tippins. 

“This is a good way to fight drugs,” said fifth grader Vincent Simmons from Montgomery Elementary.

Master of Ceremonies, Lucas Mack, Night Shift Reporter from FOX 29, rallied the students from Bowden Elementary, Cameron Academy , Brentwood Middle School , Collier Elementary and Montgomery Elementary “To Be Drug Free”!

The students then traveled to Austin to rally on the Capital Steps with over 800 other 5th and 6th graders from across the state.  The event ended with an exciting opportunity for the students to learn how the legislative process works.  The students got to sit in the House and Senate Chambers and take part in voting on anti-drug bills they wrote.  North East ISD’s, Montgomery Elementary, anti-drug bill passed in the Senate with a 24 to 2 vote.  Their bill requires increase penalties for selling drugs to minors with mandatory jail time.  The almost unanimous vote brought cheers from the students sitting in the upper chamber.  Brianna Juarez and her friend Marissa Hernandez from Brentwood Elementary said, “By coming to this event we feel we are accomplishing something and making a difference in our community.” 

This is the first time some these students have traveled outside the city and for many, it is the first time to visit the state capital, for them, this is a life changing experience.

 

 

 
     
   

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