Somers Middle School students celebrate Red Ribbon Week

The week, celebrated throughout the United States, encourages students not to use illegal drugs.

This year's theme focuses on finding natural "highs," said Brittany Katzer, Somers Middle School counselor.

This helps students focus on other activities and incentives rather than just hearing that "drugs are bad," she said.

The prevention campaign started as a way to honor Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration agent who was kidnapped, tortured and murdered in 1985 while fighting drug cartels in Mexico.

Students at Somers Middle School kicked off the week with an assembly Friday, Oct. 23.

On Monday, students signed a pledge to be drug free at lunch and were given red ribbons. The ribbons are a symbol of unity against the illegal use of drugs, Katzer said.

On Tuesday, students faced off against staff in a basketball game.

Today, Oct. 28, students will make their way through an obstacle course in their P.E. class.

The school will bring in a speaker from the Flathead Valley Chemical Dependency Clinic on Thursday.

Students will participate in discovery days Friday and will get the chance to try out a number of activities including rock climbing and clay pigeon shooting.