Hundreds expected to converge for drug awareness event
Posted on Sunday, September 28, 2008
Members of Project Right Choice are gearing up for this year’s Red Ribbon Rally, which is expected to attract nearly twice as many students as last year.
The event kicks off Oct. 23 at 10 a. m. in Bud Walton Arena on the University of Arkansas campus. The drugfree rally is hosted annually as part of National Drug Free Week and Red Ribbon Week in conjunction with Students Against Destructive Decisions. The Washington County Juvenile Court will spearhead the local rally, which will take place during Methamphetamine Awareness Month.
“ So far, we have commitments from nine schools and 907 students from Washington and Madison county, ” said Kolin Blakely, who serves as assistant deputy chief for the Washington County Juvenile Court. “ We’re still waiting to hear back from four or five schools. ”
The Red Ribbon Rally seeks to educate youth, families and communities about the dangers of drugs. The goal of the event is to raise awareness among students and encourage them to make better choices, now and in the future, regarding drug abuse.
Speakers during this year’s event will include UA football coach Bobby Petrino, head basketball coach John Pelphrey, Watch D. O. G. S. founder Jim Moore, Papa Rap, Miss University of Arkansas Ann Wizer and many others. UA cheerleaders and mascots will also be on hand to motivate students during the event.
“ In the future, we hope to have 2, 000 students like we did five or six years ago, ” he said. “ One of the biggest things we’ve run into is gas prices. That’s why we need to start planning ahead. ”
Blakely said organizers plan to include Benton and Carroll counties during next year’s Red Ribbon Rally.
“ We’re trying to catch kids in the fifth grade, although we may need to start earlier than that, ” said Jess Smith, chairman of Project Right Choice. “ We want to make a big deal about it. We think this year’s rally will be much better than last year’s. We’re spicing it up pretty good. ”
Representatives from both the fire and police departments, as well as Central Emergency Medical Service, will also attend this year’s rally. Dancers from the Marshall Islands will provide entertainment.
Project Right Choice is a community coalition made up of professionals, educators and various other area residents. The group works to raise awareness in Northwest Arkansas about the dangers associated with methamphetamine and other drugs.
In other business, coalition members plan to meet with Washington County Judge Jerry Hunton Sept. 30 to proclaim October as Methamphetamine Awareness Month. Participants will meet inside Room 300 at the Historic Washington County Courthouse at 1 p. m. A hamburger lunch, sponsored by The Bank of Fayetteville, will take place beforehand at noon.
“ We’ve invited all the mayors to attend, ” said Judy Cohea, fiscal officer for the Fayetteville Police Department. “ We’re also inviting mayors to make the same proclamation during their own city council meetings. ”
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