Meadow Lakes celebrates Red Ribbon Week with visit from National Guard

On Tuesday morning, students from Meadow Lakes Elementary School in the Mat-Su Borough came together to learn about the harmful effects of drugs, and learn more about making healthy life choices as part of the national Red Ribbon Week.

The theme this year is, ‘Be Kind to Your Mind-Live Drug Free!’ and was a message the National Guard Counterdrug Support Program and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) reiterated when they visited the students on Tuesday.

Tech Sgt Elijah Gutierrez, along with Captain Courage, talked to the students about making healthy choices, from saying no to drugs, tobacco, and vaping, to including fruits and vegetables when they can and getting out and playing.

Also on hand for the Red Ribbon event was Matanuska Susitna Borough Mayor Edna DeVries, who read a proclamation marking Red Ribbon Week, and also encouraging the students to be committed to living a healthy, drug-free life every day.

The highlight of the activities was the arrival of a National Guard UH-72 Lakota helicopter, delivering the DEA Group Supervisor, landing on the school’s soccer field.

“When you stay drug free and are healthy, you can have a really good future, ride in helicopters, and do lots of cool things,” said DEA agent. “Be kind to your mind.”

“This is the first time the National Guard has used a helicopter for Red Ribbon Week in the Mat-Su or Anchorage,” said Staff Sergeant Sekerak.

After the helicopter departed, the students were able to take a peek inside a local EMS unit and first responders, and interact with the National Guardsmen.

Red Ribbon Week was established in 1980 by a handful of concerned and determined parents who were convinced they should begin to play a leadership role in drug prevention. Since its founding thirty years ago, the campaign has devoted its efforts to the well-being of youth with education and advocacy, and support families and communities in nurturing the full potential of healthy, drug free youth.