By Gassia Ashikian
News Editor
The recent People Achieving Complete Equality assembly regarding drug and alcohol abuse successfully raised awareness and helped students reevaluate their decisions about substance abuse.
The Red Ribbon Week assembly is mandatory for all classes to attend. Because it is obligatory, students are forced to reflect on their decisions regarding drugs and alcohol, rather than avoid them. The assembly also helps students to overcome their fears about discussing any drug or alcohol-related issues with parents, counselors or other trusted adults.
According to PACE teacher Dr. Rocky Wilson, about a dozen students take flyers detailing the specifics of the addiction program. From that dozen, at least one student eventually seeks help. If the assembly is effective in improving one student’s life, than it is a success.
According to PACE co-president senior Nick Miller, the presentation affects juniors and seniors more than underclassmen because their past experiences tend to make the material more relatable. Offering this assembly only to upperclassmen could heighten its effectiveness.
The assemblies include speakers from various age groups, but mostly young adults. This year, the speakers’ ages ranged from 18 to early 20’s. According to Costa PACE student sophomore Brian Chao, the age similarities between students and speakers enable students to relate to the speakers better, which helps them overcome any fears about confronting their problems with drugs and alcohol.
In addition to the obvious implications of drug and alcohol abuse, the PACE assembly also addresses the impact of these substances on family and friends. Because the guest speakers talked about the effects of drugs and alcohol not only on the users, but on their loved ones, students were able to recognize the impact substance abuse had on others. Without the yearly PACE assembly, impacts like this may be overlooked and ignored.
Every year, according to Wilson, PACE tries to incorporate a different theme during Red Ribbon Week. This year’s theme was “3 Choices.” The variety of themes helps students engage in the assemblies by presenting the seemingly repetitive information in different ways. This increases the chances of developing a connection with at least one guest speaker over a student’s exposure at Costa.
Although they are not rehearsed speakers, their vulnerability and courage to stand on stage and tell their stories resonates with students. They also make themselves available after the assembly to answer questions. Because of the speakers’ ability to overcome their fears, students receive a positive message from the assembly.
In past years speakers were known to use profanity and highlight the positives of drug use over the negatives. This year’s speakers were an improvement from previous years after going through a somewhat extensive interview process.
According to Wilson, the PACE class chose Anna Pirkl as the main speaker of the assembly because it felt that her message was universal in that it addressed conquering one’s fear. Smith did not solely focus on the effects of drugs and alcohol, but rather addressed the general pressures and insecurities teenagers face in high school. This allowed every student to relate in some way.
The PACE assembly during Red Ribbon Week has proven to be a success in encouraging students to reevaluate their decisions about drug and alcohol use. By covering relatable topics, students felt more connected to the guest speakers.
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