Red Ribbon Week celebration kicks off with annual proclamation

Highland County Commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Jeremy Shaffer signed a proclamation for Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 21-25, at their Wednesday, Oct. 16 board meeting.

Ginger Lowell and the Rev. Timothy Mohon of the First Baptist Church in Greenfield updated commissioners of this year's Red Ribbon Week events, which will include participation from area school districts, churches, businesses and civic organizations.

Red Ribbon Week raises awareness of drug and alcohol use and the problems related to drugs. It's also a time to encourage parents, educators, business owners, and other community organizations to promote drug-free lifestyles.

Red Ribbon Week encourages the entire community to adopt healthy, drug-free lifestyles.

The National Family Partnership organized the first nationwide Red Ribbon Campaign.

In 1988, the first national Red Ribbon Week was proclaimed by the U.S. Congress and chaired by former first lady Nancy Reagan.

The Highland County Drug Abuse Prevention Coalition (HCDAPC) invites the residents of Highland County to take a visible stand against drugs by celebrating Red Ribbon Week from October 21-25.

The Highland County Drug Abuse Prevention and Coalition (HCDAPC) was formed in the fall of 2012 in order "to lead Highland County in providing and promoting opportunities for all citizens to become active in the reduction of substance abuse."

In addition to Lowell (secretary) and Mohon (president), HCDAPC officers include president-elect, Joe Adray; finance officer, Susan Roades; and nominations/PR/historian, Janet Fair.

The membership of the HCDAPC is comprised of a representative from the Paint Valley ADAMH Board, Job and Family Services, all Highland County school districts, the Ministerial Association, law enforcement, treatment and prevention agencies and concerned citizens of Highland County.

This year’s Red Ribbon Week celebration began with Wednesday's proclamation by the county commissioners.

Red Ribbon Week banners and ribbons will be tied on light poles within Highland County will announce the arrival of Red Ribbon Week.

The following Highland County Schools are participating in “A Healthy Me is Drug Free!” Red Ribbon Week activities: Fairfield Local Schools, FRS Connections, Greenfield Middle School, Hillsboro City Schools, Hillsboro Head Start – Greenfield and Hillsboro, Lynchburg-Clay Elementary School, McClain High School, Rainsboro Elementary School and Whiteoak Junior and Senior High Schools.

Highland County students from the participating schools have submitted artwork with the “A Healthy Me is Drug Free!” theme.

The students' artwork will be judged after the proclamation signing and the winners of the art contest will be on display at the student’s school and community businesses.

Each student will be given the opportunity to sign a Drug Free Commitment Certificate and Banner that will be displayed at each school. During Red Ribbon Week, the students will be celebrating “A Drug Free Me!” with the following dress up days and themes:

• Oct. 21 – “Wear Red Day” – Wear red attire to kick off Red Ribbon Week.
• Oct. 22 – “Sport a Drug-Free Life” – Wear favorite sports attire.
• Oct. 23 – “Sock it to Drugs Day” – Wear crazy socks.
• Oct. 24 – “Don’t Let Drugs Make You Crazy” – Wear miss-matched clothes.
• Oct. 25 – “School Spirit Day” – Students wear school colors.

“Red Ribbon Week encourages our entire community to adopt healthy, drug-free lifestyles,” Mohon said.

"The campaign brings together parents, schools and businesses as we look for innovative ways to keep kids and communities drug free. We would like to see the entire county participate and strengthen the drug-free message by encouraging the schools' dress-up themes at work and home. This year, we have extended an invitation to all Highland County churches to wear red on Sunday, Oct. 20."

“Red Ribbon Week gives us the opportunity to be vocal and visible in our efforts to achieve a drug-free community,” said Juni Johnson Frey, executive director of the Paint Valley Alcohol Drug Addiction and Mental Health Board (PVADAMH).

“Research shows that children are less likely to use alcohol and other drugs when parents and other role models are clear and consistent in their opposition to substance use and abuse.”

HCDAPC also thanked the following businesses for assisting with the items the students have received this week and for their ongoing support to maintain a drug-free community: Bon Appetit, 24 Exchange, Merle Norman, Cundiff Flowers, the city of Hillsboro, Blossoms and Buds, and Real Living Classic Real Estate.

For more information about Red Ribbon Week, contact the PVADAMH Board at 740-773-2283 ext. 103, or go to http://redribbon.org.

• In other board action, after a 45-minute executive session commissioners approved a salary increase for Help Me Grow Director Heather Gibson to $24 per hour.

As previously reported by The Highland County Press, at the Sept. 25 commissioners' meeting the board discussed an update from the Family and Children First Council regarding an earlier proposal for a salary increase for Gibson.

Commissioner Jeremy Shaffer reported that FCFC recommended an increase of 15 percent, retroactive to July 1, 2013, and as the client capacity was realized in Adams and Brown counties, there would be additional increases of 2 percent and 3 percent, bringing the total salary increase to 20 percent.

"It was thoroughly discussed at the FCFC meeting," Shaffer told the board. "If every county had its own director, it would probably be $40,000 to $50,000 more per year, per county."

After Shaffer updated commissioners on the Family and Children First Council recommendation, Wilkin asked for Horst's opinion at the Sept. 25 meeting.

"I understand she's expanding the program," Horst said. "Even though it's grant monies, I am not in favor of this increase. I would be a 'no' vote on this."

At the late September meeting, commissioners stated they would need more time to look into the salary recommendation by FCFC.

Upon approval of the salary increase at this week's meeting, commissioners did not say what had changed from their earlier objections. However, Shaffer did say that from this point, "Every year, pay increases will be tied with annual reviews. We will look at how we review the director's performance and the program."

Gibson thanked commissioners for approving the increase.

Help Me Grow is Ohio’s birth to 3 system that provides state and federal funds to county Family and Children First Councils to be used in conjunction with state, local and other federal funds to implement and maintain a coordinated, community-based infrastructure that promotes trans-disciplinary, family centered services for expectant parents, newborns, infants and toddlers and their families.

Commissioners will hold a special meeting for a personnel matter on Monday, Oct. 21 at 10 a.m. Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward has requested the meeting.