In honor of Red Ribbon week, students from Thomas Jefferson Middle School listened to a presentation from Porter County Substance Abuse Council Board Member, Chuck Harris. He spoke on the history of Red Ribbon week, facts about drug use in Porter County and ways to stay drug free. This event was sponsored by the Thomas Jefferson Student Council.
"In honor of Enrique 'Kiki' Camarena's memory and his battle against illegal drugs, friends and neighbors began to wear red badges of satin," said Chuck Harris. "Parents, sick of the destruction of alcohol and other drugs, had begun forming coalitions. Some of these new coalitions took Camarena as their model and embraced his belief that one person can make a difference. This movement has spread across the nation as we try to educate and protect our children of our current drug epidemic. Kiki's philosophy was one that, as a community, especially in Porter County, we should all embrace, 'I'm only one person, but I want to make a difference.'
6th Grader Peter Sesterhen Shared his thoughts about the presentation, "I thought it was a very exciting presentation because it talked about many things that I had not heard of before. I didn't know the history of Red Ribbon week before the presentation and in was interesting hearing about the drug issues in Porter County."
Student Council Co-chairs and 6th Grade Teachers Michelle Coberg and Cheryl Highlan added, "This is the first year we have had a presenter during Red Ribbon week. We thought it was really important for the students to learn about the history of Red Ribbon week and understand some of the growing drug issues in Porter County. The presentation 'Making Choices' was an excellent combination of history, facts, data and information that was geared to our middle school students."