Community members might notice a multitude of red ribbons adorning students’ shirts during Red Ribbon Week in Charleston.

Different schools in Illinois do different things for the week, said Victor Dillman, director of the student assistance program and president of the drug and alcohol task force at Kewanee High School.

In some areas, students in the sixth grade through age 21 participate in the week’s events. Charleston High School is giving every day of the week a different theme to get students involved in drug awareness.

Angel Warman, a behavioral disorder/ emotional disorder teacher’s assistant at Charleston High school, said, “it was an effort throughout the building” to prepare for this week.

“Our slogan is ‘drug free, we’ve got the power,'” Warman said.

Every day of the week has a different theme. Monday is wear a red ribbon day, she said. Adam’s Funeral Chapel donated money to help pay for the red ribbons that will be distributed throughout the week, Warman said.

Tuesday’s theme is turn your back on drugs, when students will wear their red ribbons on their backs, Warman said.

“Wednesday is red socks day, to symbolize that you’re ‘socking it to drugs,'” she said.

Thursday, the students will wear bright colors and/ or shoes and Friday the kids will wear red for paint the school red day, she said.

The high school is also having a poster contest for Red Ribbon Week. First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust donated a $50 savings bond that will go the winner.

Pens, pencils and bookmarks will be given away to the students in some schools to promote the week.

“It’s a good thing, especially for the high school kids,” Dillman said.

Churches also participate to inspire students to stay alcohol and drug free.

“Kids can be drug free in our society,” Dillman said.

Red Ribbon Week has been every last week in October since 1988, Dillman said. During the week, students wear red ribbons that symbolize being drug free.

“That’s a pretty powerful message for students when they all wear the red ribbons,” Dillman said.