On Monday, Oct 24, OHS students were welcomed back from MEA break with red decorations all around the school. Red Ribbon week is an annual National Drug Prevention celebration. It is used to promote living a safe, healthy and drug free life. Freshmen SHOC member Camryn Miller said, ”Red Ribbon Week is special because it is important to show others that it is better not to use chemicals.”

This is a busy week for the members involved in SHOC. The Drug Awareness Organization has planned activities that involve the entire community. Red Ribbon week was kicked off with a celebration on Monday, Oct 24 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. The celebration included a free meal provided by the Kiwanis Club, games, activities, educational booths and a rock climbing wall. There were special speakers present as well as a ceremony that honored the fourth graders that won the sponsored poster contest. There will also be other opportunities that SHOC is involved with the youth of Owatonna. Throughout the school year, SHOC goes to the elementary schools to talk to them about being drug free and how to handle peer pressure.

There are many ways that OHS students can get involved with Red Ribbon Week. They can attend the celebration, sign the poster and pledge to be drug free as well as be a positive leader to their peers and other younger children.

In TMM this week advisers discussed Red Ribbon Week with their TMM.  Students who are worried about their own or a friend’s chemical use, they are encouraged to talk to their counselor or school social worker and they will assist in getting help.

If someone is interested in joining, they should fill out an application in the spring. They must attend a training day in the summer to be a SHOC member.