EVENT PROMOTES DRUG-FREE LIFE TO CHILDREN

Celebration Organizers Say They Want the Message of Red Ribbon Week To
Reach People at an Early Age.

BROOKSVILLE - Young children learn things quickly.

JoAnn Munford, program coordinator at the Jerome Brown Community
Center, wants to put that idea to work in the fight against drug abuse.

Munford helped put together Saturday's celebration at the community
center for children and parents in honor of national Red Ribbon Week.

An annual event, Red Ribbon Week celebrates communities and students
across America committing themselves to drug-free lives, according to
promotional materials from the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Brooksville, nonprofit agencies that serve families in Hernando
County, nearly every elementary school and a group of dedicated
volunteers have gotten behind local efforts to get the message out to
kids. It's a new activity in this community, but enthusiasm is high.

Munford, who has committed her life to community outreach, felt a
social gathering that was full of fun and interesting activities was a
big step in the right direction. So she organized the Red Ribbon
celebration, which is open to the public and now in its second year.

A couple of hundred families that turned out Saturday took advantage
of the drop-in atmosphere to learn a little and give their children an
opportunity to see how popular it is to choose abstinence over drug,
alcohol and tobacco abuse. The participants were a blend of ethnic and
economic backgrounds.

"We're aiming for a friendly atmosphere where kids can pick up printed
information, talk to people who know the right answers, and get a
feeling that good things are cool things," Munford said.

On a sunny, warm afternoon, a steady stream of parents with children
dropped into the community center to enjoy puppet shows, singing,
games, child-friendly food, balloon animals and a party atmosphere.

Jermaine Earley, 26, and a mother of six children ages 8 years to 3
months, said she loved the event and so did her kids.

"This is the time to get them interested in positive decisions," she
said. "It's fun, but the message they get is serious. I feel they'll
be safer."

Another mom, Virginia Walton, also 26, attended the fair with her
8-year-old daughter.

"I do everything I can to encourage her to realize drugs are bad,"
Walton said. "We go to all these programs together. She loves the
favors and color books, and I like the good information I get."

The event is organized for elementary-age children, all of whom had
the choice to make a written pledge during the week, at school, to
stay away from drugs. The pledges, in all manner of children's
handwriting, decorated the walls of the gym. An antidrug wall, made of
bricks drawn and colored by students, grew as the day progressed. All
of the schools had supporting activities leading up to Saturday's
celebration.

"It's so important to start early with this message," said Amy
Anderson, a Title I parent educator for the schools. "The message used
to be that drug use or abuse could ruin a life. Now, there is so much
out there that can take a life. One experiment, one mistake and a
child can end up dead. We know for education to be effective, parents
have to be involved, so we brainstorm to come up with these
gatherings."

Anderson thinks that if you start with a family and help them be
healthy and positive, your community will be the same. She said she
and her counterparts in other elementary schools are dedicated to
helping parents, young or old, inexperienced or seasoned pros. The
message they emphasize: People who get involved with drugs or alcohol
always lose.

"It's hard for kids to understand the image of drug dealers in big
cars with gold jewelry strung around their necks," Anderson said. "We
find ways to show them that the trappings of wealth don't indicate
success, happiness or a good life. I think we're getting through."

Munford and Anderson, co-creators of the celebration, feel it was
successful last year, and even better this year. They had more
corporate sponsors. School participation grew from six schools to 10,
and they hope next year will be even better.