Family Specialist focuses on community during Red Ribbon Week

This week, North East ISD schools took part in Red Ribbon Week. It’s a week set aside to focus on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse and how to live drug-free. Many of our schools celebrated with different dress-up days to focus on various dangers of drug use and ways to say no to drugs.

“Walzem doesn’t have a problem with actual drugs on campus,” said Amanda Yruegas. “The problem that we do have is our students who are affected by alcohol and drug abuse within their homes.”

Yruegas is Walzem Elementary School’s family specialist. She took Red Ribbon Week a step further this year. Since so much is being done virtually now, she decided to offer up information sessions to parents.

“It’s an opportunity to model to families on how to open up the discussion on the impacts of drug abuse with their children,” said Yruegas.

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) offers many resources for schools and parents during Red Ribbon Week. Yruegas is using much of what they are offering to help her students and families but suggests all community members take a minute this week to refocus our efforts on staying drug-free.

“Drug and alcohol abuse does not just impact a student and their family; it impacts the entire community on so many levels,” said Yruegas.

She also is using this week to teach her students how they can make real change in their community. Red Ribbon Week was started by high school students in California in the 80s after the death of a DEA Agent named Kiki Camarena.

“Our students seem to think they have no say in making changes within their community and beyond, but that isn’t the case, and Red Ribbon Week is a perfect example of that power.”

To learn more about Kiki Camarena, Red Ribbon Week and resources available to parents, click here.