Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Area schools will demonstrate their support for increased attentiveness to drug and alcohol prevention this week.

Multi-media presentations about the dangers of alcohol kick off Red Ribbon Week today.

The national substance abuse prevention awareness week commemorates the death of Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Agent murdered in 1985 by a Colombian drug cartel in Mexico.

Mourners at Camarena's funeral wore red ribbons. Grassroots organizations adopted the red ribbon as a symbol of their commitment to reduce the demand for drugs and raise awareness of prevention efforts.

Steamboat Springs, Hayden and Soroco school districts are participating in the weeklong celebration.

Grand Futures Prevention Coalition is sponsoring the multi-media presentations in Steamboat and Hayden.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving designed the collection of current music and movie clips, celebrity interviews and other messages about the risks of alcohol abuse.

"We're really excited about bringing in MADD," said Angela Kimmes, Grand Futures Routt County director.

The Hayden High School gym hosts the presentations today from 1 to 3 p.m. on a large movie screen.

Elementary, middle and high school students will take turns listening to MADD's message.

Hayden High School Principal Nick Schafer hopes students leave with a greater awareness of the dangers of alcohol.

He said he has asked students about the effectiveness of such messages.

"Most will pay attention for a short time," he said. "But some of them really take it to heart."

Students at Strawberry Park Elementary view the presentation at 8:40 a.m. Wednesday in the Steamboat Springs Middle School gym, followed by the middle school students from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Students at Soda Creek Elementary will view the presentation at 2 p.m. Wednesday in their gym.

A prevention speaker will address students in South Routt, and peer counselors will decorate the schools and deliver Red Ribbon Week Halloween bags to elementary school students.

South Routt students have taped radio advertisements that address drug and alcohol prevention. People can listen to the ads on local stations KIDN and KRMR. The peer counselors will also distribute pencils to Oak Creek businesses to give to trick-or-treaters.

Students in the three school districts will receive red ribbons and other promotional materials with anti-drug messages.

The Routt County Board of Commissioners today will sign a resolution that proclaims Oct. 23 31 as Red Ribbon Week.