Annual Red Ribbon Week at St. Joseph’s Indian School

(Chamberlain, S.D.) – Friday, October 22, marked the beginning of St. Joseph's Indian School's annual observance of Red Ribbon Week. Students enjoyed late afternoon pizza with a movie in the Rec Center.

During the week of October 25, students celebrated five drug-awareness-themed dress-up days. Monday was pajamas to teach everyone to follow their dreams. On Tuesday, students wore their favorite team's jersey to send the message, "Team up against drugs!" On Wednesday, everyone donned the school's colors – blue and gold – to say, "St. Joe's is proud to be drug-free." Thursday was its own unique dress-up experience as it was the day for the school's Halloween celebration (moved because the holiday falls on Sunday when some staff and students aren’t on campus). Friday capped off the dress-up fun in red for Red Ribbon Week.

Students participated in Intercom Trivia in campus residences to build drug-and-alcohol-prevention awareness throughout the week. St. Joseph's Indian School has actively participated in Red Ribbon Week for 20 years and develops updated drug and alcohol curriculums that relate to each age group

Amelia, a seventh-grader, explained the significance of the week, saying, "To take in the fact that there are people in this world who are struggling with addiction, and we have to prevent it to break the cycle." Classmate Jalonna added, "What Red Ribbon Week means to me is my life is important, so don't do drugs. It also means a whole lot to me, my family and other people."

Red Ribbon Week began as a tribute to fallen Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique Camerena, who in 1985 was murdered by drug traffickers he was investigating in Mexico. According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Red Ribbon Week is the nation's oldest and largest drug prevention program.

More than 220 Native American students in first through twelfth grade find hope and opportunity through our educational, counseling, and residential programs. Strengthened by spirituality and culture, St. Joseph's Indian School transforms lives—mind, body, heart and spirit—every day. Visit us at www.sjiskids.org and www.stjo.org