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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: ARDITH HOLMES
620.341.2450 or
aholmes@emporiansfordrugawareness.com
September 29, 2011
Red Ribbon Week 2011 holds some sweet deals for the community!
Emporians for Drug Awareness has announced the new Red Ribbon Week
theme for 2011: Life is Sweet
Drug Free! Red Ribbon Week is
celebrated annually during the last week in October as a way to
focus on the efforts that occur in communities year around to prevent
the use of illegal substances and the abuse of legal substances.
The EDA Board decided on the local theme for Red Ribbon Week at
their September meeting and have already identified a way of getting
the message out to the community - ribbons made of chocolate!
"EDA is teaming up with Sweet Granada who will be making solid
chocolate ribbons that we will package and sell to help raise awareness
of Red Ribbon Week as well as to help raise needed funds for the
coalition," said Interim Director, Ardith Holmes. "We
are so appreciative that Kim Redeker and her staff are willing to
help us with this project."
The coalition, in existence since 1990, has had to dip into reserve
funds over the past few months as grants ended and past fundraising
efforts fell short of meeting expectations. Made up of members from
various sectors of the community, Emporians for Drug Awareness uses
local anecdotal data and survey results to identify factors that
put Emporia youth at risk for substance abuse and other risky behaviors
and chooses science-based programs and strategies to address the
problems.
The chocolate ribbons will be available beginning October 4 from
any EDA Board Member or by calling 341-2450. The board hopes to
sell the ribbons through the holiday season.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact: teresa.walters@usd253.org
620.341.2450
ARE YOU PARENTING FOR PREVENTION?
EMPORIA - Emporians for Drug Awareness is warning against
loosening the rules about underage alcohol use during the holidays
with a request for all parents to "Lock Up Your Liquor".
Just as recent education and awareness events have centered on safeguarding
other threats around the home - over- the-counter and prescription
medications and products that could be used as inhalants - EDA wants
parents to remember to keep their alcohol protected from the temptation
of young people. Unfortunately, in addition to some parents unknowingly
providing the supply of alcohol, some adults feel that holidays
provide another excuse to overlook or allow the use of alcohol by
youth. Again, the coalition warns that underage drinking is not
a rite of passage. The potential consequences which include assault,
date rape, contracting sexually transmitted diseases, car crashes,
and injuries, can be permanent, life-altering events. Scientific
research has shown that if a young person stays away from tobacco
and alcohol until he or she reaches 20, the likelihood of ever suffering
a chemical dependency problem is dramatically reduced. Parents hold
the key to preventing the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs
by youth by staying actively involved in their children's lives
- including talking AND listening to them. Prevention takes more
than a single conversation. Parents can and do
make a difference in their children's lives. Parenting IS prevention.
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