It's time once again for Red Ribbon Week in our local schools.

The week of October 23rd through the 31st will be celebrating a drug free life with the events of Red Ribbon week. This is a nationally recognized week which encourages young people to live a life free of drugs.  The Human Resource Center's youth program is joining forces with Clinton Schools to promote the message of the week. The head of the youth program, Tina Baxter, says that students will be encouraged to sign pledges that will be posted throughout the community.

[audio:redribbon1.mp3]A Word From Baxter[/audio]

The students will each recieve their own red ribbon which has a special significance.  Baxter says that this week was created in the 1980s in order to remember a DEA agent who worked undercover in Mexcio who was killed by drug trafficers.

[audio:redribbon2.mp3]A Word From Baxter[/audio]

The state of Illinois is sponsoring a program called "Paint Illinois Red" this year. This program offers many activities to participate in but the HRC in Clinton is highlighting one in particular this year. According to Baxter,they are asking people to paint their fingers or fingernails red in order to show support for red ribbon week.      

[audio:redribbon3.mp3]A Word From Baxter[/audio]

For more information on these activites you can call 217-935-9496 or you can go to the HRC's website at www.hrc.org.