Students Pledge to be Drug-Free at Narconon Education Seminar

By Bobby Newman

The Narconon Hawaii Drug Rehabilitation and Education Program contributed to National Red Ribbon Week by conducting drug education seminars for ninth- and tenth-grade students at Kamehameha Schools near Honolulu, Hawaii.

National Red Ribbon is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention campaign that reaches millions of Americans annually during the last week of October. By wearing red ribbons and participating in community anti-drug events, young people pledge to live a drug-free life and pay tribute to the memory of Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, a special agent who worked for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

To honor Agent Camarena, who gave his life in 1985 while pursuing Mexican drug traffickers, Narconon Hawai’i asked students of Kamehameha’s health classes to sign a poster pledging to lead the way.

9th and 10th grade students sign poster pledging to live a drug free life, show friends that being drug-free is more fun and speak the truth about the harmful effects of drugs.

9th and 10th grade students sign poster at Kamehameha Schools.

With their signature, students pledge to live a drug-free life, show friends that being drug-free is more fun and speak the truth about the harmful effects of drug addiction. Signing the poster also means they will step up to help their family be drug-free while also set an example to all Hawaii children.

Following Narconon Hawaii’s presentation, one tenth-grade student remarked, “I thought it was very informational and useful to me, so that I know to never start smoking weed.” This comment was among many received through the anonymous written survey conducted after the talk.

Another student said, “My thoughts changed because I feel that taking drugs can only lessen your chances of being successful and making life harder for you to live. Staying away from drugs can help me live an easier life and make better choices.”

Yet another student realized, “Honestly, this talk changed my thoughts on drugs because now I know the facts and not just opinions.”

The National Family Partnership, sponsor of the Red Ribbon campaign, estimates more than 80 million people participate each year. Narconon Hawaii is part of an international network of 182 drug rehabilitation and education centers spanning 42 countries around the world. Narconon drug education programs across the U.S. strongly support the effort to spread the word about drugs and drug addiction.

In the last five years, Narconon Hawaii has educated over 26,000 kids throughout the state about the dangers of drugs and drug addiction.

“My thoughts about drugs changed because I know now why and how people become addicted,” explained another student, after the talk at Kamehameha Schools.

If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction or would like to know more about the Narconon Hawaii Drug Rehabilitation and Education Program, contact Narconon Hawaii locally at 808-550-0005, toll-free 866-373-2809, or send an e-mail to info@narcononhawaii.org.