The Santa Ynez Valley
Coalition to Promote Drug Free Youth will join with other groups across the
nation to raise awareness about alcohol and drug abuse during National Red
Ribbon Week, Oct. 23-31.
Coalition Youth Action
Council member Alif Marchi was presented with a Proclamation by Solvang City
Mayor Jim Richardson Oct. 12 in recognition and support of the National Red
Ribbon Campaign.
Richardson encouraged all
citizens to commit to a drug-free community. The city of Buellton will make a
similar proclamation Thursday.
“Red Ribbon Week gives all
of us a chance to be visible and make a statement about our desire for a
drug-free community,” said Joshua Koppenjan, president of the Youth Action
Council. “We are excited to kick off the Red Ribbon Campaign at the S.Y.V. High
School football game on Oct. 23.”
Other Valley schools are
also working to deliver drug-free messages by organizing drug and alcohol
education and fun prevention activities on their campuses.
The Valley Coalition is
partnering with schools to send the “Parent Pledge” to the families of seventh-
through 12th-grade students. The Parent Pledge is a supportive tool for
families to help keep their children safe from alcohol and drugs. The Pledge is
also available on the Coalition Website at syvdrugfree.org.
Also featured during Red
Ribbon Week is the three-week long “Parent’s Academy: Parenting in the 21st
Century.”
The forums,
Wednesday and again Nov. 4, are organized by the Sheriff’s Department in
collaboration with the cities of Buellton and Solvang and the Valley Coalition.
Topics include underage alcohol and drug abuse and Internet safety. The forums
will be held at the Veteran’s Hall in Solvang and are free to the public.
“The Valley Coalition works
year round to reduce and prevent underage substance abuse and Red Ribbon Week
is one more opportunity to get the message out to youth in the Valley,” said
Mary Conway, coordinator for the coalition. “We know we can make a difference
for young people and invite others to become a part of the solution.”
For more information,
contact Conway at (805) 686-0295.