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Press Releases

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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