07901 . . . We Are One!
, on November 5, 2010
Each year, the Summit Public Schools integrates its Language Arts, Guidance and Health Curriculum to Honor the Call to Protect Against Drugs and Violence....Celebrate Life!, Summit's Annual Red Ribbon Awareness Program mantra. From October 15th to November 1st, Summit's schools and program-providing agencies in the community implemented the 17th year of this program. Throughout the two weeks, red ribbons were tied on trees in Summit Downtown and on school property to recall the legacy of DEA agent, Kiki Camarena, who died in the line of duty to protect people from the ill effects of the drug trade.
Three 7th grade students wrote essays about alternatives to drugs and alcohol while five 4th graders drew posters. These are the 8 stewards of leadership in this program who can help us make better choices than to consume drugs or alcohol. This annual program gives voice to our youth leaders who are making a difference at home, in school and in the community. Their work will be on display in the community agencies over the next few months. To see photo, visit www.shapingsummittogether.org/gallery.
In Summit, we pledge to do everything possible to warn our youth and families of the dangers of alcohol and substances consumed in abusive circumstances which, in the case of drugs, may mean outside medical guidance; and in the case of alcohol, may mean in circumstances of consumption under the legal age of 21.
Says Annette Dwyer, Chair of Shaping Summit Together, the entity which coordinates community-wide action against drug and alcohol abuse amidst other social and cultural awareness programs, "We are living in times where there is more vigilance against predatory behavior towards our youth. I ask our community to be more aware of predatory behavior of drug dealers as well as marketeers of alcohol, tobacco and spirits who seek to build a pipeline of alcohol consumers at an early age. In my mind, there is no difference in the failure of human character between the temptation of advertising and marketing towards vulnerable youth than an 'older young person' (of age) who procures the alcohol for youth under age 21 versus a pusher on the street. We all have to put a HARD STOP to the ACCESS to substances for vulnerable youth. We know better. We need to do better for our youth."