With drug use among teens at an all time high and steadily rising, students at Wesley College took back the power to "Just Say No" as they today marched through the streets. It's part of the traditional red ribbon week which keys in on the pitfalls of drug abuse.
Keith Swift Reporting,
Wesley College students braved the unrelenting sun this morning and pounded the pavement of downtown Belize City proudly asserting their power to be drug free in their school’s annual red ribbon march.
Phillip Ramsey, Wesley Student
“I as an individual could go out and show others that I have the power to be drug free and don’t take drugs, don’t follow others, and don’t get into peer pressure.”
Marcia Martinez, Wesley Student
“We as students do have the power to be drug free and by us doing that, we could go out and spread the word and encourage other students to have that power to be drug free also.”
Keaton Pollard, Wesley Student
“We as students and as a school we have the power to reach out to others in our community to send the message to be drug free. Once they see us a congregation, as a school, we can basically get the message across to them.”
So yes they do have that power. But statistics show that instead of saying no, high school students and young people on a whole are using that power of choice to say yes. Karen Bodden from the National Drug Abuse Control Council has been working closely with schools like Wesley College. She says those statistics could be misleading.
Karen Bodden, NDACC
“Here at Wesley College you can talk to anyone of these students and they will be able to talk quite intelligently about the drug situation in Belize as well as the impact of it.”
KS: So they know the dangers of the drugs but they are still using it? Is that accurate?
Karen Bodden,
“Not accurately at all because remember when we talk about drugs we are not just talking about illegal stuff. We are also talking about prescription and OTC substances. Developing awareness in our students has resulted in them becoming more mindful of their use of such substances.”
And on that point Wesley’s counselor, Elizabeth Goff is in agreement. She says more than just red ribbons today or even this week, drug prevention and education is a tradition on this campus.
Elizabeth Goff,
“Its not something just for this week. You know we help them to discover that power they have within themselves. It is something that is ongoing. I would our efforts in addressing any of our big social concerns started the first day of school and will end the last day of school next year June. And so we continue. We celebrate this week, we have a good time, and lots of information is shared but it is all a part of a longer process that we are all involved in.”
Red Ribbon Week will be rounded out with a talent show tomorrow and parents potluck on Friday evening.
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited for the internet by Keith Swift