A drug-free Homewood

Red Ribbon Week won’t just be confined to Homewood classrooms the week of Oct. 23-31.

This year the Safe & Healthy Homewood coalition is partnering with businesses, city government and the Homewood Police Department to spread awareness about the dangers of teen drug use.

“The school district has always participated in the national observance, but this is our first year taking the programs out into the community,” said Carissa Anthony, prevention and development coordinator at Homewood City Schools. “I think it will really send a strong message to the students.”

The Chamber of Commerce will place red ribbons on lampposts throughout the Homewood during the week of Oct. 21. On Oct. 22, Homewood City Schools will be co-sponsoring a Prescription Drug Safety Public Form along with Rep. Paul DeMarco, which will help people to recognize signs and symptoms of dangerous drug use.

On Saturday, Oct. 26, the Homewood Police Department will be sponsoring the DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which provides an opportunity for people to dispose of their prescription drugs in an environmentally safe and convenient way. The event will be held at Target Shopping Center at Colonial Brookwood Village from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Homewood Police Officer Keith Smith said the DEA sponsors these events twice a year to prevent people from throwing away or flushing their narcotics.

 “Neighboring cities have done this event, but this is Homewood’s first one,” Smith said. “We’ll have the canine unit out there. The Target pharmacy has been really supportive. We hope it goes well.”

Beyond the month of October, anti-drug educational programs occur at Homewood Middle School and Homewood High School throughout the year. Both schools sponsor Peer Helpers, an organization of students that pledge to be drug, alcohol and tobacco free and are trained to report to an adult when a fellow student is in trouble.

The peer helpers serve as mentors and tutors for their peers during the school year and attend a mandatory retreat in August at Camp World Song. They are selected in the spring by a faculty and advisory team.

 “[The peer helpers] lead educational programs on different topics throughout the year such as drug awareness and suicide prevention,” Anthony said. “It is a good cross-age program that helps to models good behavior for the other students.”

For more information on National Red Ribbon Week visit redribbon.org.

Homewood Red Ribbon Week Events

Prescription Drug Safety Public Forum

Tuesday, October 22

12- 1 p.m.

Dawson Church

Medical Disposal Day

Saturday, October 26

10 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Target on Lakeshore Drive

*Bring your unused OTC and Rx medication for disposal.