Parade raises awareness of drug campaign
It was called the National Uniform and Button Parade with the theme “The land of the free can be drug free.” The goal: support those with drug problems and prevent the rest from going down that path.
Janelle Chanona, Reporting
As part of this year’s National Drug Awareness Week, this morning schools from all over Belize City gathered in Memorial Park, eager to show off their new buttons and tell Belize City that they were drug free.
Belize District Coordinator for NDACC Marlon McNab, says the number of students helping to promote their cause has increased every year.
Marlon McNab, Belize District Coordinator, NDACC
“This is the second year that we’re trying this street parade and the first year it was a complete success because previous years they had like 300 to 400 students who participated. Last year we had 1,300 and this year I announced earlier that we had 1,647, but we ran out of buttons and I brought over 1,600 buttons and two schools didn’t get so I think we’re at 1,800 now.”
“Basically the whole rationale behind it is so as to offer our condolences to those families who are being affected directly or indirectly by the misuse of drugs. So this is our way of saying, as a community, we want to let you know that you are not alone and we want to lend some sort of support to you.”
“Even the students they understand that what they are doing is supporting, try to lend that support and enhance a positive lifestyle and try to create a drug free society which NDACC is determined to do.”
Hopefully the only drugs these kids will ever get a hold of will come over the counter at the neighborhood drug store.
NDACC has planned a wide range of activities including a national quiz contest. Drug Week ends on June 9th.
