As most people know, this week is Red Ribbon Week (drug use awareness week). This year is a bit different than most years that we are used to in that there are no themes for students to dress up. A lot of people may disagree with this (I did at first too), but it actually makes a lot of sense that there are no dress-up themes in this year’s Red Ribbon Week.

Although dressing up at school is fun and I always take part in it and enjoy it, it does not necessarily promote drug use awareness. Wearing pajamas or hawaiian themed clothing to school is not going to make you drive away from drugs any more. I’m not saying I didn’t like dressing up for Red Ribbon Week in past years because I definitely did. I’m just saying that it’s not going to change anyone’s opinion on drugs.

On the other hand, dressing up does make students more aware of the fact that it is Red Ribbon Week. I honestly didn’t know that it was this week until somebody told me. In past years, however, I was well aware when it took place due to the themes. Dressing up does increase awareness, but not in the way that the district intends. It allows people to be more aware of the fact that is it Red Ribbon Week, but it doesn’t really enforce thought of drug use.

Someone who currently is involved with probably won’t change their mind because of fun themes at school. They are entertaining for the students but do not raise awareness of drug use.