(La Porte, IN) - La Porte students are being taught to stay away from drugs, alcohol and tobacco this week.  It’s Red Ribbon Week in the schools, an annual event nationwide teaching children about the dangers of substance abuse and violence.

A couple of staff members and someone dressed in a cigarette costume were outside the Kesling School complex last night.  They were joined by mayor Tom Dermody, who urged children to follow this year’s Red Ribbon Week theme of “Be Happy, Be Brave and Be Drug Free.”

“Pound out the cigarette. Right, Mr. Cigarette. Put it out before it puts you out,” Dermody said.

Red Ribbon Week was started in 1985.