TRUCKEE, Calif. — Did you know that children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42 percent less likely to use drugs than those who don’t?

Yet, only a quarter of teens report having these conversations.

Two weeks ago, Alder Creek Middle School’s commitment to a drug-free lifestyle and healthy lifestyle was on full display. Students and staff participated in the nationally celebrated Red Ribbon Week.

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“Red Ribbon Week is an ideal way for ACMS students and Truckee to unite and take a visible stand against drugs and substance abuse,” said Rose Weskamp, ACMS PTO co-president and parent.

The Red Ribbon Campaign is now the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation; the highlight of this year’s campaign was “Love Yourself. Be Drug Free.”

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“Students were engaged in fun activities all week, from decorating the school with red ribbons to participating in five dress-up days such as, ‘My Future is Bright, No Drugs in Sight, Wear Neon Day,’” said ACMS Counselor Rachel Kole.

Students also viewed “Natural High” in their classes and were challenged to create a Natural High post card that featured and described their own Natural High.

ACMS also hosted a Parent Education Night with the Truckee Police Department and TT-FWDD (Tahoe Truckee Future Without Drug Dependence) staff, and an EAT Challenge.

EAT challenged asked students to discuss the week’s message at home, at the dinner table, at family outings, and with what works in the family:

E: Express Expectations (be clear)

A: Access (reduce access to addictive substances)

T: Time (Spend time together with friends and extended family)

More than 100 parents and guardians participated in the EAT Challenge.

VOTE FOR ACMS, STUDENT ENTRIES

Further, in an effort to prevent drug use and educate youth, the National Family Partnership invited ACMS to participate in its Annual Red Ribbon Photo Contest.

The school has entered both the “home” and “school” categories.

For home entries, the person who has the most votes in each region/category will win an iPad2 and $1,000 for their K-12 school.

Deanna Sunnergren, a seventh-grade student at ACMS, has entered the home category.

“Alder Creek Middle School could win $2,000 if my photo wins, and the school’s photo wins,” she said. “It would be great if we could win $2,000.”

For the school entries, one winner who has the most votes will win an iPad and $1,000 for their K-12 school.

ACMS decorated many parts of its campus as part of its school entry in an effort to celebrate, “Love Yourself. Be Drug Free.”

Family and friends are asked to vote for the local entries. You can vote up to 10 times per day through Nov. 19.

To vote, visit redribbon.org/vote/ and enter “Alder Creek” in the search bar to bring up both entries.