November 2016 Message from the Superintendent

Observing Red Ribbon Week at CHMS

Dr. Ben Churchill, Superintendent

Carlsbad Unified School District

In 1985, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Special Agent Enrique Camareno was working in Mexico when he was abducted by drug traffickers, tortured, and killed.  Agent Camarena’s friends and family wanted to honor his sacrifice, and decided that the best way to remember him was by helping kids to make healthy decisions about smoking, drinking, and using drugs.  Red Ribbon Week was born.

Last week the Carlsbad City Council passed a resolution in support of CUSD’s Red Ribbon Week activities, “encouraging all citizens to join our commitment to a healthy, drug-free community in which to raise a generation of healthy, drug-free youth.” A student from each school accepted a copy of the proclamation from the council and delivered it back to present to the school.

Every year all CUSD schools participate in Red Ribbon Week activities.  This year Calavera Hills Middle School (CHMS) was fortunate to host several local and federal agencies that keep us safe.

DEA officials were out in full force at CHMS with their canines and tactical vehicles.  Joined by representatives from the FBI, Carlsbad Fire, and the National Guard, they provided students with information about making healthy choices.  “Someone is going to offer you something,” a DEA agent told students. “You need to know what you are going to say.”

A representative of the National Guard shared information about drugs.  He demonstrated the physical effects of alcohol on the body’s responses, passing around special goggles so students could see through the eyes of a drunk person.  The FBI was also present, teaching kids about Internet safety, gaming safety, safe online surfing, and cyber bullying, with an online game called “SOS.”  (http://sos.fbi.gov)  Carlsbad Fire demonstrated an impressive ladder truck, and answered students’ questions about their equipment.

DEA agents brought an armored vehicle that students could climb through, flak jackets that kids tried on (“It’s so heavy!”), and their drug-sniffing dogs.  “We have the neatest job ever,” reported an agent with the canine unit.  “We chase bad guys and play with dogs.”  The kids loved the canines. (“I loved the dogs.  One slobbered all over my hand.” “Do you think my mom would let me have one?”)

CHMS 7th grader Lucas was asked to role play a DEA agent involved in an undercover operation.  When the bad guy (played by an agent) tried to engage him in a drug buy, he signaled his team (of students), who moved in to make the arrest.  The students cheered.

The agents answered questions and interacted with the kids. “What does the DEA do?” a student asked. The agent responded, “We put the bad guys who sell drugs in jail.”