Nearly 300 students submitted entries in the county’s first Red Ribbon Week Essay Contest. The theme of the contest, “How and why I live a drug-free life,” corresponds with the mission of the National Red Ribbon Campaign, which is to
Nearly 300 students submitted entries in the county’s first Red Ribbon Week Essay Contest.
The theme of the contest, “How and why I live a drug-free life,” corresponds with the mission of the National Red Ribbon Campaign, which is to create a drug-free America.
The winners in the high school category are: first place, Kim Fabro, Waimea High School (teacher, Oriente Nakaahiki) and second place, Bradley Ramos, Kaua‘i High School (teacher, Kathleen Morishige).
The winners in the middle school category are: first place, Theresa Huff, St. Catherine School (teacher, Patricia Doherty) and second place, Casey Nakamura, Kapa‘a Middle School (teacher, Gordon Muramaru).
The majority of the essays were turned in by Kapa‘a Middle School students who were given this assignment as a class project.
“Selecting the winners was a very difficult task,” said Anti-drug Coordinator Theresa Koki in a county release. “There were many moving and well-written essays.”
A lot of students said they don’t take drugs because they don’t want to disappoint their parents or lose their friends’ trust, noted Koki.
Others expressed concern about their future and how taking drugs would make it difficult to get into a good college or play sports.
Some discussed the negative effects of drug use such as having ugly teeth.
“A common thread that ran through nearly all the essays was that by the time they reached middle school, they had tried drugs themselves or a family member was a drug user,” said Koki. “They also talked about how drugs are readily available in our schools.”
Urging residents to join in the war against illegal drug use, Koki said, “We must support our young people so they can have hope and look forward to a brighter future.”
For more information, contact Koki at 241-4925 or tkoki@kauai.gov
