Jessica Foster
Staff WriterForest Lake Area Schools are marking Minnesota Chemical Health Week with a variety of activities. The statewide awareness activity runs Nov. 12-19. Chemical Health Week is being coordinated locally by Safe and Drug Free Schools Coordinator Chuck Moses and Youth Development Coordinator Kathy Bystrom.
ìWe want the parents to know what their kids are up to,î Moses said.
Involvement, Bystrom said, is key. ìWe hope weíre sending the message to parents loud and clear. Parents are an integral part of whether a study stays drug, alcohol and tobacco free. Really, the power is in their hands,î she said.
Moses agreed. ìA drug free community starts at home. They have the biggest say overall,î he said. ìIt is the school districtís job to support this.î
The event will kick off Friday with a fifth grade youth night at Southwest Junior High School.
Fifth grade students can play bingo with prizes donated by the Forest Lake Lions, play games, go for a swim or play a variety of sports. Senior high students will serve as chaperones.
Tickets for the lock-in may be purchased at district elementary schools or at the district office. Tickets are not available at the door.
The week continues Monday, Nov. 15 with red ribbon distribution. The red ribbons are a symbol of individualsí commitment to a healthy, chemical-free lifestyle. They too are meant as a reminder to not drive under the influence, to not condone or promote underage drinking and to ìwork for prevention and assist with intervention and treatment.î
Tuesday, Nov. 16 is SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) Awareness Day. There are SADD chapters at Forest Lake High School, Southwest Junior High School, Century Junior High School and Area Learning Center.
Students involved in SADD will be present in the secondary buildings during lunch periods to promote their organization.
Students also will have the opportunity to sign the Contract for Life.
By signing the contract, youth pledge ìmy best effort to remain alcohol and drug free, I agree that I will never drive under the influence of either, or accept a ride from someone who is impaired, and I will always wear a seat belt.î
Youth also promise to communicate with their parent about important issues.
In turn, the parents pledge a commitment to the youthís health and safety and ìpledge to do everything in my power to understand and communicate with you about the many difficult and potentially destructive decisions you face.î
The parents also promise to not drive under the influence and, if their child needs it, to provide them with sober transportation home and to not talk about it until both parties are sober.
Students who returned a signed Contract for Life are entered into a drawing for a Target gift card.
Wednesday, Nov. 17 is Wear Red Day. Everybody in the Forest Lake Area Schools community is encouraged to wear red to promote the Red Ribbon/chemical health campaign.
In addition to promoting Minnesota Chemical Health Week, individuals wearing red will benefit from their attire community wide.
Business support
A variety of Forest Lake area businesses are supporting Minnesota Chemical Health Week by offering specials and discounts to students wearing red Wednesday, Nov. 17.
Businesses participating include Applebees, Arbyís, Big Apple Bagels, Blockbuster Video in Forest Lake and Wyoming, Burger King, China Buffet, Community Education, Country Home Bakery and Deli, Culverís, Dominoís, Famous Daves, Forest Lake Area Youth Service Bureau, Dairy Queen in Forest Lake and Wyoming, Dairy Queen Grill and Chill in Lino Lakes, Hometown Pizza, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Kodiak Coffee, Kyoshin Ryu Karate Academy, LaGrande Salon and Day Spa, Lake 5 Theatre, McDonaldís in Forest Lake and Wyoming, Papa Johnís, Papa Murphyís, Perkins Restaurant, Pizza Hut, Pizza Man, Pizza Zone, Roxyís Total Image, Sbarro, Subway in Forest Lake and Wyoming, Taco Johnís, Taco Palace, Wendyís, White Castle and íZa Italian Minnesota.
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