Organizers expect increase in attendance at anti-drug rally
Posted on Wednesday, October 22, 2008
More than 1, 000 students from 10 area schools will convene at Bud Walton Arena on Thursday to take part in this year’s Red Ribbon Rally.
“ The attendance is up quite a bit this year, ” said Judy Cohea, fiscal officer for the Fayetteville Police Department.
Cohea and other Project Right Choice members met during the group’s monthly meeting Tuesday to discuss various activities scheduled for this year’s annual Red Ribbon Rally. The event kicks off Thursday at 10 a. m. in Bud Walton Arena on the University of Arkansas campus.
The anti-drug 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 spearheads the local rally, which takes place during Methamphetamine Awareness Month.
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 DOGS 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.
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 cosponsor a town hall educational forum on substance abuse prevention and treatment. The meeting has been set for Nov. 13 at the Jones Center in Springdale from 6: 30-7: 30 p. m. in the Chapel Room. Guess speakers will include Arkansas Drug Director Fran Flenner; Jim Clark, director of Health Resources of Arkansas; and other state dignitaries and coalition speakers. Members of a subcommittee will meet at Youthbridge on Friday to discuss the other ideas for the meeting.
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