Groups Working To Raise Local Awareness During Red Ribbon Week

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Sonora, CA — Substance abuse prevention activities are taking place at schools all across Tuolumne County.

Tuolumne County Public Health, Yes Partnership, and Tuolumne County Friday Night Live are working together to bring Red Ribbon Week events to local campuses. The groups are engaging in lunchtime activities to help educate students about the harms of alcohol, vaping and marijuana.

National Red Ribbon week is October 23-31, but activities started on October 16 in Tuolumne County to ensure that as many schools are reached as possible. Lunchtime activities are being held at Curtis Creek Elementary, Gold Rush School, Summerville Elementary, Twain Harte School, Soulsbyville Elementary, Summerville High, Tioga High, Tenaya Elementary, Sonora High, Sonora Elementary, Jamestown Elementary, Columbia Elementary, Chinese Camp Elementary, and Don Pedro High.

The groups are also collectively hosting a Red Ribbon Week poster contest where students are challenged to find creative ways to encourage fellow peers to refrain from using substances.

The most recent California Healthy Kids Survey conducted by the Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools Office continues to show that Tuolumne County youth are using drugs, alcohol and tobacco at a higher rate than the state average.  And, while numbers have gone down, there is still room for improvement.

We reported earlier that Yes Partnership is also hosting a Tuolumne County Drug Take-Back Day, in partnership with the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office, this Saturday, October 26 (10 am – 2 pm) at the Tuolumne County Health Fair (Manzanita Building) that is taking place at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds.

Tuolumne County Red Ribbon Week partner organizations:

Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools (Tobacco Use Prevention and AWARE mental health programs)

FNL/YES/ATCAA

Mathiesen Memorial Health Clinic and Chicken Ranch

Tuolumne County Behavioral Health

PH Epi

PH Tobacco

Tuolumne Me Wuk Tobacco Education and Prevention Program

Blue Zones Project Tuolumne County

CHP (Jamestown office)