Red Ribbon Week winners announced

COLFAX - Substance Use Prevention Education and Resources (SUPER) and school students observed Red Ribbon Week with a poster contest that started Monday, Oct. 1, through Oct. 17, with the theme "Be Kind to Your Mind Live Drug-Free."

Colfax SUPER Community Coordinator Sara Golden said there were four winners, with two students tying for second place. "The public voted on their favorite poster, and the first and second-place winners received gift cards," Golden said, noting that the contest happens every October.

First place winner was Colfax High School Senior Bethany Halseth, with a poster sporting flowers and watercolors proclaiming the theme.

Senior Paige Claassen and Sophomore Keagan Mackleit tied for second place with a poster of a bubblegum machine and Mackleit's poster of lightning.

Freshman Nathalia Peterson won an honorable mention for a poster with the heart and mind logo.

Golden said Red Ribbon Week is the nation's largest and longest drug overdose campaign.

Red Ribbon Week is celebrated annually from Oct. 23 through Oct. 31 to highlight the importance of a drug-free life.

The campaign was created in 1985 in response to the murder of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena when angry parents and youth communities began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of a commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction caused by drugs in America.

Golden said this year's campaign is the 35th year since the Mexican drug cartel murdered Camarena.

Golden said that those who want to combat the drug overdose crisis can obtain naxolone nasal spray or NARCAN, from the Health Department or order NARCAN online. NARCAN is used to treat a narcotic overdose in an emergency. "Having NARCAN on hand with you isn't enabling," Golden said, noting that it's always good to have just in case, and you never know if someone might have a legal opioid subscription and might overdose.

"The health department can help and provide training, and the fire department can provide training on NARCAN," Golden said, noting that those who want to learn can also watch training on YouTube.

Having the NARCAN could save a life and will never cause a reaction to someone who is not on an opioid.