Students prepare for Red Ribbon Week’s drug-free message

By Eileen Oldfield Staff Writer
   HILLSBOROUGH — A week of drug prevention and awareness starts today (Thursday) as the township kicks off its annual Red Ribbon week events.
   The annual Red Ribbon Week will continue until Halloween, though events and programs within the schools started weeks before the official event.
   Each year, the Life Skills Committee picks a theme for the week’s activities, and centers its programs around the theme, District Life Skills Coordinator Diane Handwerk said.
   With November’s upcoming presidential election, choosing “Vote yes for a drug-free future — it’s the only choice” seemed natural, Ms. Handwerk said.
   ”We chose our theme because we wanted to connect it with voting,” Ms. Handwerk said. “We tried to connect it with, of course, the presidential election.”
   Activities for both home and school reflect this, with children in the district signing pledges “voting” for a drug-free home, and “voting” for a drug-free classroom.
   The drug-free mantra has been incorporated into several programs through out the week, including Thursday’s Hillsborough Township Halloween Party, and Friday’s Homecoming football game.
   Students have the opportunity for Red Ribbon Week activities at school as well, with in-class activities in all elementary schools and Auten Road Intermediate School. Students in both Auten Road Intermediate School and Hillsborough Middle School will decorate classroom doors with anti-drug messages for a door-decorating contest.
   Students in grades kindergarten through eight can participate in a CD design cover contest that highlights the drug-free message, Ms. Handwerk said.
   A food drive that has kindergarten through eighth grade students bringing canned goods for the Samaritan Homeless Interim Program on Tuesday extends the focus on both good deeds and drug awareness.
   According to Ms. Handwerk, the program representatives talk to students about the toll drugs and alcohol can take on a person’s life.
   ”We’re trying to give the goal of living a healthy lifestyle,” Ms. Handwerk said. “It’s an awareness campaign. We want the kids and their families to know that this is a healthier way to be.”
   At the high school, drug free-messages will appear in the school’s daily video announcements, and students can participate in an alcohol trivia contest. The student club PUSH — Prevention Using Student Help —will distribute drug awareness pamphlets and anti drug bracelets during lunch periods.
   In addition, the students will see an assembly, titled “Dirt,” that focuses on drug and alcohol abuse on Tuesday
   Though there’s a focus on education within the schools, the Life Skills Committee included a presentation for parents this year, Jason’s Story. Linda Surks, a trained prevention specialist and member of the Middlesex County Substance Abuse Coalition, will speak about losing her son, Jason, to an overdose of prescription drugs. The presentation will take place from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday at Auten Road Intermediate School.
   No sign ups are necessary to attend the presentation, Ms. Handwerk said.
   ”We’re doing our best and then some,” Ms. Handwerk said. “We need to continue to educate our families and our children about the danger of drugs.”