The City of Troy kicked off its Red Ribbon Week Friday at Pike Liberal Arts School with a balloon release. Red Ribbon Week will take place the last week of October throughout the city.

“It was a wonderful privilege to be able to kick off Red Ribbon Week for the City of Troy,” said PLAS Headmaster Becky Baggett. “It’s so important for our students to be drug free.”

Red Ribbon Week began after a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent was killed, and a school in his hometown began wearing red ribbons in his honor.

The Red Ribbon Campaign, organized by the National Family Partnership, provides drug awareness. The ribbons serve as a way to bring awareness to the killing and destruction caused by drugs in America, according to www.redribbon.org.

“We have people that put their lives on the line every day to make the community safe, and drugs don’t help that,” said Troy Mayor Jason Reeves. “Drugs affect the community more than we realize. When you talk abut drug use, people tend to think that using drugs only effects them, when there are so many other things that are affected such as crime, violence, heartbreak and dysfunction.”

The balloon release was set up as a pep rally, with the PLAS cheerleaders leading the students in cheers, and the football team in the center.

Members of the Troy City Council, city workers, the Troy Fire Department and the Troy Police Department were in attendance.

“Red Ribbon Week is very important,” said Troy Police Chief Randall Barr. “I’ve never met an alcoholic or drug addict that said they wanted to be an alcoholic or drug addict when they grow up.”

Reeves said that all schools are participating in Red Ribbon Week, and each school will have their own way to incorporate the program with students.

“It’s important that we continue to bring (this concept) home to young people,” Reeves said. “If they never start, they won’t have to quit.”

Reeves said the same type of balloon release was planned for the Charles Henderson High School football game Friday night.

“We are encouraging schools to do what they need to do on an individual basis,” Reeves said.

Throughout the week, schools will be participating in activities to promote a drug-free lifestyle and to inform students on the dangers of drug use.

“We encourage students to make the right choices every day,” Barr said. “Not just children, but adults, as well. As police officers, we try to be role models.”

The City of Troy will be participating in promoting the week, as well.

“It’s important to think about it every day,” Reeves said.