MYCP - Monroe Youth Challenge Program

Press Releases:

MYCP Sponsors Red Ribbon Week School Events Oct. 23-27

KEY WEST (680 words) -- If parents score a four out of four yeses on the parent skills quiz from National Family Partnership they’re terrific! National Family Partnership (NFP) offers several parent skills quizzes on its site in support of National Red Ribbon Week and child education to be drug free. The NFP established National Red Ribbon Week in response to a 1985 killing when drug traffickers in Mexico City murdered DEA agent Kiki Camarena. This began the tradition and display of red ribbons as a symbol of intolerance towards the use of drugs. “The mission of the Red Ribbon Campaign is to present a unified and visible commitment toward the creation of a DRUG-FREE AMERICA,” said NFP officials. And for the fourth year in a row, Monroe Youth Challenge Program (MYCP) hosted a slate of promotional and educational events on every Monroe County public school.

Photo Credit: MYCP
Key West High School -- Students at Key West High School gather in the cafeteria to sign posters that read, “I pledge to be drug free” as part of Red Ribbon Week last week celebrated in all Monroe County Schools.

According to NFP, the median age at which children begin drinking is 12. Young people who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking at age 21. “It’s imperative we support all school curriculums and staff with these important drug free messages,” said Sunny Booker, Monroe County School District Safe School Coordinator. Plantation Key School Principal Vanessa Strickland said, “National Red Ribbon Week is promoted at our K-8 school through lessons, activities, and games designed to deter the use of alcohol, tobacco, and violence. And we’re proud to deliver a strong message on that subject.” As an example of how powerful the opposing message is, NFP offers this parent skills quiz on media and advertising.

1) Do I watch television with my child at least 60% of the time? Yes/No

2) Do I often discuss with my child how to look at commercials and TV helping them understand that the purpose is to sell a product not and idea? Yes/No

3) Do I point out to my child when alcohol, tobacco or other harmful substances are being promoted on the radio, TV or Internet? Yes/No

4) Do I monitor my child’s use of the Internet? Yes/No

Scores: 4 out of 4: YOUR’RE TERRIFIC! You are involved with your child and take the time to teach them about learning the hidden messages and possible manipulation of the mass media.

2-3 out of 4: AVERAGE…room for improvement. You are making an effort but not enough to counter the string of messages from the media.

0-1 out of 4: HELP! You need to be more aware and take time to monitor your child’s media habits. You can use this as two-way learning experience.

For more information, parents are encouraged to visit National Family Partnership’s web site at www.nfp.org for a free parent pit including child development stages and several self assessment quizzes like the Media and Advertising Parent Skills Quiz. A free newsletter and alcohol quiz card for kids is also available. Another related site with curriculum and class room ideas is available at the Red Ribbon Coalition website, www.redribboncoalition.org. It was created by Irvine Community Drug Prevention (ICDP) in 1999 to assist school site prevention coordinators (parent, teacher and student volunteers) who want to develop and host Red Ribbon Celebration activities at their school or in their community.

To date, more than 6,000 school site prevention coordinators have registered to use the web-based services and resources. Registration is free. Volunteers who register have access to copy and use forms, including a Red Ribbon Training Manual for school site prevention coordinators. These resources are free for educational purposes at each individual school site. “The Red Ribbon Campaign is now the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation reaching millions of young people during Red Ribbon Week, October 23-October 31 each year,” said NFP officials.

This year’s theme is “100% Me, Drug Free.” Monroe Youth Challenge Program is a project of the Monroe County Education Foundation to foster acceptance, respect, and success in the youth of Monroe County. For more information about this project or any other MYCP-sponsored program call Booker at (305) 293-1400 ext. 53319 or go to www.monroe.k12.fl.us/mycp.