In and effort to bring awareness to the dangers of drug and alcohol use, Niles West will be participating in Red Ribbon Week. The week allows students to reflect on the choices they are able to make about drugs and alcohol.

The tradition of Red Ribbon Week, which will be held this year from Monday, Oct. 24 through Thursday, Oct. 27, started in 1985 after U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) member Enrique Camarena was killed.

“Red Ribbon Week became a tradition in 1985. It started because Enrique Camarena, who was a part of the DEA, was killed in the midst of drug busts. His life work was to end the drug trafficking in the U.S. In his memory, friends and neighbors wore red to raise awareness of what his work accomplished, and to show that one person can make a difference,” SADD club sponsor and math teacher Jessica Madigan-Verceles said.

To the members of SADD club, this week is meaningful because it brings light to an important topic.

“The importance of Red Ribbon Week to us, SADD Club, is that it raises awareness of the dangers of drugs and alcohol. It brings to light the positive outcomes of saying no to drugs and alcohol. It’s the kick-off to the conversation,” Madigan-Verceles said.

It’s important for students to participate and self-reflect on the decisions they make.

“Students should participate to think about the decisions they make. It gives them an opportunity to self-reflect. Saying no to drugs and alcohol is such an important message to send out because it encourages students to make safe decisions, and gives them an opportunity to grow as an individual. It makes them realize that they are in charge of their bodies. No one else,” she said.

This year’s themes for each day are as follows:

Monday – Sweatpants/PJ Day (Living a drug/alcohol-free life is no sweat)

Tuesday – Chicago Sports Day (Be a good sport! Don’t do drugs)

Wednesday – Tie Dye Day (Color my world drug/alcohol free)

Thursday – Red, Red, and more Red (I pledge to be drug and alcohol free)