Little Rock Students Kick Off 'Red Ribbon Week'
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: October 25, 2012
Hundreds of students in Little Rock are promoting drug-free lifestyles in support of Red Ribbon Week.
This year's theme is "The Best Me is Drug Free."
Activities kicked off this morning at the River Market Amphitheater with a rally, DJ and several guest speakers.
While there are several programs year-round for students that focus on drug and violence prevention, organizers believe events like this help the kids understand the importance of staying drug-free.
"Well I think it's important that we have events like this to not only -- we're promoting education throughout the school year but it's important that we engage students in drug-prevention education, because we know those are pieces that are critical to student achievement in the classroom," says Reggie Merritt with Little Rock School District
Red Ribbon Week began after the kidnapping, torture and murder of DEA agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena in 1985.
Red Ribbon Week is observed every October and continues through next Friday.
This year's theme is "The Best Me is Drug Free."
Activities kicked off this morning at the River Market Amphitheater with a rally, DJ and several guest speakers.
While there are several programs year-round for students that focus on drug and violence prevention, organizers believe events like this help the kids understand the importance of staying drug-free.
"Well I think it's important that we have events like this to not only -- we're promoting education throughout the school year but it's important that we engage students in drug-prevention education, because we know those are pieces that are critical to student achievement in the classroom," says Reggie Merritt with Little Rock School District
Red Ribbon Week began after the kidnapping, torture and murder of DEA agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena in 1985.
Red Ribbon Week is observed every October and continues through next Friday.
