Red Ribbon Week actually educates about drugs

One week a year, Red Ribbon Week occurs in schools all over the nation to discourage kids from doing drugs. The events of the week have little effect on teenagers who actively engage in drug use, but Red Ribbon Week educates, and even somewhat inadvertently promotes, drugs and drug use to teens.
Red Ribbon Week educates teenagers about the different drug paraphernalia while also describing the seemingly enticing effects of drugs. Drug statistics often confuse young people, and teenagers don’t take Red Ribbon Week seriously.
Although having good intentions, the Red Ribbon Week promotion does not have that serious of an effect on the teenagers’ lifestyles.
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Ron Johnson • Nov 11, 2013 at 7:18 am
I agree. During announcements, my first period class is always talking and not paying attention to the announcements. I do not either. Red ribbon week is just one of those things that are insignificant to anyone out of elementary school. Now, we have the memo, drugs are bad and we do not need to know every little fact about them.
Megan Koller • Nov 10, 2013 at 7:44 pm
I agree with the writer of this article. Teens don’t pay attention to what is being said about drugs. The only time drugs are talked about is during announcements, and most students don’t listen to the announcements. People who do drugs obviously don’t care about the effects, or they wouldn’t have done them in the first place. Therefor, Red Ribbon Week is not very productive. -Megan Koller
Parker Olson • Nov 10, 2013 at 6:59 pm
I agree with this article. Even though Red Ribbon Week is supposed to try to prevent drugs, it does promote them almost subconsciously. Teenagers that have never done drugs and have never even thought of the possibility of doing them become curious about them. They want to know what the big deal is about drugs, so they might try one, or talk to people who do drugs to figure out what they’re like. For those teenagers that do drugs, Red Ribbon Week is not going to discourage them because they don’t care about what others think about their problem. They just want to get high.
Kevin Liow • Nov 10, 2013 at 4:35 pm
I agree that many people don’t take Red Ribbon Week seriously, but I don’t agree that it indirectly promotes drug usage. In my opinion, I think that Red Ribbon Week needs to be more than just one week to constantly remind teenagers about the dangers and effects of drugs. While it may not stop teenagers who actively use drugs from using drugs, I do believe that it helps prevent the others from thinking about using drugs. Plus it gives important information to those who want to know more about it. All in all, Red Ribbon Week may not be able to help those who don’t want help, but it definitely aids those who do.
Michael Wilson • Nov 10, 2013 at 2:46 pm
I agree with what your saying. Red Ribbon week attempts to educate teens about drugs, but it seems most teens really didn’t care about it. The idea is great and should continue because it helps teens understand drugs. Sadly Red ribbon week doesn’t affect everyone, but it definitely makes them more aware.
Michael Wilson