From Monday October 19^th, to Friday October 23^rd, Marlboro High School students participated in red ribbon week, with the help of SADD, and Anytown. Red Ribbon Week was a combination of raising awareness for substance abuse and violence. Both unfortunate incidents are grouped together since substance abuse usually leads to violence. Ultimately, the SADD chapter and Marlboro High School’s Anytowners organized events throughout the week to help spread the message about the dangers of substance abuse and violence.

Although SADD is known for its effort to raise awareness about destructive driving, ultimately, SADD is a club that fights against destructive decisions. Therefore, SADD had a major role in promoting Red Ribbon Week .On each morning, executive members of the SADD board made morning announcements about dangers of addictive substances, and startling teen violence statistics. Also, SADD sold red ribbons to raise awareness and promote change about the harsh reality of substance abuse and violence. All proceeds from the red ribbons went to the national institute on drug abuse. Executive board member Heather Torkel states that by “promoting awareness and tolerance towards these issues makes our school a more open, accepting, and socially aware community”. 

Furthermore, Marlboro High School’s Anytowners gave a powerful performance on the impact bullying can have on a person. On the last day of red ribbon week, Friday, October 23^rd, Anytowners put on a performance that documented the life of a young Australian girl named Olivia Penpraze, who committed suicide when she was 19 years old after a lifetime of bullying. By doing this, Anytowners were able to display the extent to which hurtful insults can affect a person. Moreover, members of Anytown wore all black on Friday to memorialize Olivia Penpraze. Anthony Cordi, Anytown member, reflects on their performance, stating that “it was an amazing experience to work with everyone in this amazing group to put on a powerful show that got an important message across to the student body”.

However, as red ribbon week comes to an end, the strong messages, and powerful images it has provided for all of Marlboro High School surely will not end. SADD executive board member Serena Thadani states that “though we emphasize drug and substance abuse this week, it doesn’t mean it’s the only week we should think about it. Substance abuse is a serious problem that affects teenagers and our community directly, and we need to do everything we can to raise awareness about this issue year round because it is an issue that can be resolved if people knew the true dangers of substance abuse”.