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Anti-drug campaign draws participation of schools
Dandan Middle School eighth graders Kianna B. Sasamoto, Joanna Caguioa, and Codie Escoto and art teacher Freddy Salavaria show off the poster they designed for the CNMI’s 2016 Red Ribbon Campaign Celebration. (Jon Perez)
Dandan Middle School eight graders Kianna B. Sasamoto, Joanna Caguioa, and Codie Escoto said that teenagers could avoid peer pressure to try and use illegal substances like “ice”by participating and focusing on other activities in the community.
The three students and art teacher Freddy Salavaria received the second place award in a gate decoration contest participated in by all CNMI public schools. DMS ended up tied with San Vicente Elementary School and Tanapag Middle School.
“Using drugs is not the way to fix your problems. It doesn’t fix it at all. There are other ways or outlet that you could try,” said Sasamoto, who added that doing different activities would improve one’s personality.
They said that not giving in to peer pressure is not an “uncool” thing. “They should mainly think of what they are going to do before they do it. “Always remember the consequences in your future before you do it,” said Caguioa.
They added that adults like their parents could also set an example.
The three students were part of the DMS team that decorated their gate using paper cups that they spray-painted with different colors. “Your Love is Our Love” is DMS’ slogan.
Garapan Elementary School won first place with Kagman Elementary School finishing third. SVES, Rota’s Sinapalo Elementary School, Tinian Elementary School, Tinian Junior Senior High School, Saipan Southern High School, and Kagman High School were also recognized.
The event was part of the CNMI’s 2016 Red Ribbon Campaign Celebration, an anti-drug movement that is observed nationally. This year’s theme was “YOLO or You Only Live Once: Be Drug Free” coined by Claysburg-Kimmel Elementary School in Claysburg, Pennsylvania sixth graders Kristopher Oakes and Loagan Brehm.
