Red Ribbon Week

Maria Wears Her Thinking Cap 

Red Ribbon Week

October  2020

Maria, Tom and Jenny were all friends at PRES.  They were all in the same class at school.  It was Red Ribbon Week at school and they were all learning about medicine and other drugs.  They were learning to say “NO” to drugs!

One day, they were going out to play on the playground at recess.  While on the playground, Maria found a little brown bottle on the ground with little red candies inside it.  She picked it up and Tom said, “Let’s try some.”  Maria said, “I don’t think that is a good idea.”   Jenny said, “But, we can try just one.”  Again, Maria said, “No, we might get sick or something.” 

Then Maria said,  “I have an idea, let’s take it to Mrs. White.  She’ll know just what to do.”  So, Maria picked the bottle up and took it to Mrs. White.  Mrs. White looked at the bottle very carefully and said, “Did you open this bottle?”  Maria, Tom and Jenny looked at each other and said, “No, we did not know what  was inside.”  Mrs. White said, “That was a very good idea!”  Maria said, “ It looks like medicine or something.”  Mrs. White said, “I  am glad Maria was wearing her thinking cap.”  Maria handed the bottle to Mrs. White and Mrs. White said, “I know just what to do!”  

The next day, Mrs. White gathered the class and showed them the bottle with the little red candies inside.  She told them about what Maria, Tom and Jenny had done by bringing the bottle to her.  Mrs. White told the class, “If you find something and you do not know what it is, to give it to a grown-up.  Someone you know and trust.  Medicine and other drugs can be dangerous, especially for children!

Talk to the learners about:

• Finding things (especially, if they do not know what it is or if it looks like medicine/ candy)  and giving it to a grown-up.  Someone they know and trust!

• Do not take things (like candy) from strangers, unless a grown-up they know and trust says it is ok

• Do not take medicine by yourself!!! Take medicine only from grown-ups you know and trust

• Medicine and other drugs should be kept away from children in a locked cabinet and out of reach from children

• Trusted adults are:  your mom, your dad, aunt, uncle, grandmother, grandfather, babysitter, friend’s parent, school nurse when you are at school

• The Alabama Poison Information Center at Children's of Alabama—1-800-222-1222

• https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/injuryprevention/poisoning.html