Ela Coalition Against Youth Substance Abuse: Learn, Act, Celebrate During Red Ribbon Week

The Ela Coalition Against Youth Substance Abuse is inviting the public to learn, act and celebrate Red Ribbon Week.

Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country. The week serves as a way for communities and individuals to take a stand for the hopes and dreams of our children through a commitment to drug prevention and education.

It also commemorates the ultimate sacrifice made by DEA Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, who died at the hands of drug traffickers in Mexico while fighting the battle against illegal drugs to keep our country and children safe.

The Ela Coalition Against Youth Substance Abuse, a local coalition for Ela Township working to reduce youth substance abuse, is sponsoring a variety of activities to locally celebrate Red Ribbon Week.

Learn

The Ela Community Center Learn from Dr. Andrea Barthwell, former Deputy Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy and CEO of Two Dreams Treatment Center, when she gives a presentation from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 at the Ela Community Center, 380 Surryse Road, Lake Zurich. Barthwell will cover the following topics:

Drug Trends – including prescription pills, opiates/heroin and especially the medical marijuana impact on youth;

Communication – how to establish open dialogue with teens and

Risks – how to identify risky teen behaviors

Act

Residents can properly dispose of prescription drugs by taking them to the collection mailboxes at the Hawthorn Woods and Lake Zurich Police Departments year round or during the DEA Take Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 26.

Celebrate

The community to WEAR RED on Wednesday, October 23 and help support students celebrating in the following ways:

Students of Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 and St. Francis de Sales are participating in a prevention themed spirit week with daily activities at school.

Kindergarten through 5th grade students will receive Red Ribbons from the Coalition to be tied on trees in the community and participate in a Coalition sponsored and PTO supported Red Ribbon Week Coloring Contest.

Students in grades 6-12 are participating in a Red Ribbon Week Poster Contest sponsored by the Coalition and supported by the PTO. The winner will be announced on later today, Monday, October 21 and their poster will be reproduced and displayed around the community.

To learn more about our events or us: visit elacoalition.org or email at info@elacoalition.org. Or call board member Susan Fackler at 847-540-8380. The coalition is supported by the Lake County Health Department through a grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services.