Drug-Free Tennessee Holds Red Ribbon Week Halloween-Themed Event for Kids

With Halloween falling on the last day of Red Ribbon Week, Drug-Free Tennessee thought it apt to hold a Trick-Or-Treat party with a message to kids to be safe and drug-free.

Drug-Free Tennessee in partnership with the Church of Scientology Nashville ended Red Ribbon Week with a Halloween-themed event for kids, helping to educate young people on the dangers of drugs in a fun way with a trick-or-treating kick-off party.

Tennessee consistently ranks in the top five US states in terms of substance abuse rates, according to a report from lakeviewhealth.com. The website further describes that despite the rise in opioid addictions, alcohol abuse statistics have remained stable, so alcohol is still the most commonly abused substance in Tennessee. The website describes opioid abuse, specifically pointing out that oxycodone and hydrocodone are the most commonly abused of painkillers. Although physicians legally prescribe them, these medications often end up on the black market, which has led to a surge in drug related crimes in Tennessee.

To protect youth from the disastrous effects of abusing these and other drugs, Scientologists and others teamed up with Drug-Free Tennessee to bring the truth about drugs to young people during Red Ribbon Week.

Volunteers participated in neighborhood events and health fairs leading up to a Halloween bash on the 31^st to remind kids to be safe and drug-free. They distributed copies of The Truth About Drugs, a booklet that helps young people understand what drugs are and how they affect the user.

Red Ribbon Week is a week-long celebration at the end of October to promote a drug-free lifestyle. The Red Ribbon has been worn as a symbol since 1985 when DEA Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena was murdered. Angered parents and youth in communities across the country began wearing Red Ribbons to show their commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction caused by drugs in America.

“Our Halloween bash was a great way to educate children in a fun way, while also reminding them that drugs are scary,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Church and regional coordinator for Drug-Free Tennessee.

Drug-Free Tennessee is the local chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, an international non-profit organization. Its materials demonstrate the dangers of drugs through factual information and interviews with former addicts giving personal perspectives on each of the substances covered.

For more information on the Truth About Drugs, visit drugfreetn.org. For more information on the Church of Scientology and its programs, visit Scientology-CCNashville.org.