By Andonia Goergen
Executive News Editor
Manhattan Beach Unified School District (MBUSD) participated in the nationwide Red Ribbon Week campaign from Oct. 23 to Oct. 31 in hope of raising awareness on the dangers of substance abuse according to Dr. Dale.
Beach Cities Health District (BCHD), Beach Cities Partnership for Youth and South Bay Families Connected partnered with one another to provide programs and resources to students in the district to participate in this nationwide event. Red Ribbon week is a campaign that schools around the country participate in to encourage intolerance toward drug use during Substance Abuse Prevention Month, according to BCHD.
“We need to learn the signs. Both South Bay Families Connected and Beach Cities Health District have a treasure trove of literature and videos of what to look for if you are concerned about your children’s substance abuse,” Director of Beach Cities Juvenile Diversion Project Joan Stein Jenkins said.
Among the activities planned for students was a video from BCHD’s Coalition Steering Committee and Student Mental Health Provider Task Force titled “Prescription Drugs and Opioids: What Beach Cities Students and Parents Need to Know.” The video discussed real-life stories of drug overdose and why and how to avoid the use of drugs, such as opioids. Students watched this video on Nov. 4 during their Social Emotional Wellness (SEL) class period, and were given an anonymous survey to collect data from Costa students about their experiences with the misuse of drugs.
“Tragedy can happen even when we take all of these precautions,” Jenkins said. “But let’s take every step we can to try to prevent another overdose death, and if there is any sort of imminent danger, call 911 immediately.”
Due to distance learning, Pacific Elementary in Manhattan Beach scaled down usual Red Ribbon Week activities. On Oct. 28, Pacific’s Student Council representatives held a virtual Spirit Assembly where they spoke to their peers about making healthy choices.
“If you believe that your child is using, or if you suspect that your child may be using drugs, I think it’s incredibly important that you trust your intuition,” Dr. Moe Gelbart from the Thelma McMillen Recovery Center at Torrance Memorial said. “Many parents want to believe the best of their children. They don’t want to know or think that their children may be using drugs, and so they begin to deny that internal sense that they may have. The most important thing to do if you suspect that is to talk to your children.”
On Nov. 2, parents in the district and neighboring districts participated in a virtual Zoom conference where they discussed the dangers of opioids and how parents can encourage discussions with their children surrounding the topic of youth drug use and how to prevent it.
“For this year, our message to students is to stay healthy and stay safe.” Pacific Principal Rhonda Steinberg said.
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