Havre celebrates Red Ribbon Week

Red Ribbon Week is underway, and many organizations in Havre have embraced the message it conveys.

Red Ribbon Week started Sunday and will continue until Friday.

According to RedRibbon.org, Red Ribbon Week’s purpose is to raise awareness of illegal drug use and the problems that it brings to communities.

This campaign encourages parents, educators, business owners and other community organizations to promote drug-free lifestyles.

The red ribbon symbolizes a continuing commitment to encourage communities to adopt drug-free lifestyles.

In 1985, Enrique S. "Kiki" Camarena, a special agent for the Drug Enforcement Administration, was killed by drug traffickers.

Shortly after Camarena's death, individuals from his hometown of Calexico, California, began wearing red ribbons to remember and honor Camarena’s sacrifice.

Red Ribbon Week, which grew from this, was established by Congress in 1988.

Michelle Fleisch, a youth development specialist at the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line said that her organization does all of the ribbon ordering for the schools in town.

Fleisch said the club is offering many family-friendly activities throughout the week, which include games, crafts, raffles and giveaways.

“We are having a family night on Wednesday night from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.” she said.

Fleisch feels that Red Ribbon Week is beneficial to society because it teaches kids from a young age about drug prevention.

Andy Carlson, superintendent of Havre Public Schools, said that his district has a lot of things planned for Red Ribbon Week.

“Each school has their own particular items that they do for the week. We are all wearing the red ribbons,” he said.

Carlson said that his district is collaborating with the Havre Police Department and motivational speakers will be speaking at the schools.

Carlson believes that Red Ribbon Week brings awareness to drug prevention.

“You want that thought process to be a little more than, ‘Hey, what is going on this weekend?’” he said.

Jean Murphy, the librarian and head of Junior Helpers at Havre Middle School, said that her school has theme days for the week.

For example, today is “Partner Up Against Drugs Day,” where students can either dress up the same as someone else, or wear cowboy/cowgirl outfits.

“It is good to have one week to show our kids and our community that we care about living a drug-free life,” Murphy said.

For more information on Red Ribbon Week, visit https://RedRibbon.org.