Red Ribbon Week, an annual event dedicated to promoting awareness around safe and healthy behaviors as opposed to alcohol and drug use, goes well beyond just the one week of October 23-31.  Earning a nearly $34,000 grant from the Georgia Office of Highway Safety, the Fulton County School System will continue SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) programs in high schools. 

Last year, SADD chapters were established and programs were implemented in 14 schools serving more than 38,000 students.  For the 2009-10 school year, the school system has won the grant for a second year, and the money will be used to build on last year’s success.  SADD is designed to address drinking and driving among teens.  This year, 17 high schools will receive up to $2,000 each to implement the following activities:

·         Establish or maintain a SADD chapter

·         Complete a minimum of two safety belt checks

·         Host a Ghost-out, crash car event, or Safe Prom and graduation activities        

·         Provide leadership training to SADD chapter members

·         Support year-round Red Ribbon Week and other drug prevention activities

Throughout the rest of the school year, high schools will participate in these programs as well as observe healthy and substance-free living prevention and intervention programs. Schools are also encouraged to observe Alcohol Education Month (November), Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month (December), Parenting is Prevention Month (March), Alcohol Awareness Month (April) and Worldwide “No Tobacco” Day (May 31).     

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