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Last week, the schools in the Warren County R-III and Wright City R-II school districts celebrated National Red Ribbon Week. The event was created in response to the 1985 murder of DEA agent Kiki Camarena by drug traffickers.
The discussion focused on the importance of saying no to drugs and living a healthy lifestyle.
Some of the activities included various theme days and events such as a parade featuring Rebecca Boone students showing off their drug free banners and a balloon launch at Warrior Ridge.
School officials said last week's activities - such as hat and sweatpants day - were a fun way to educate the students about the seriousness of using drugs.
"It is a very important week," said Kim Gish, counselor at Daniel Boone Elementary. "We need positive role models for our kids."
Dalton's speech focused on the risks of using methamphetamines just once, a choice that often leads to addiction after the first experience. He said it's easy to point out a meth user when the individual walks into his courtroom. The characteristics include being paranoid, sores on the face and weight loss.
"You have to be tough and make decisions to say no," Dalton said. "You have to say I'm not going to do this."
He also touted the Drug Court program, a lengthy process that allows individuals charged for a crime involving drugs to avoid jail time by completing strict requirements including drug testing, obeying curfew and attending weekly court sessions. If a person can complete the program, the drug charges will be erased.
"I promise you (jail) is not a place to be," he added.
Wright City Elementary also participated in various activities. Sherry Reagan, counselor at the school, said it was important to bring awareness to the students about staying drug free.
The school welcomed former NFL player Steve Grant as its guest speaker. Grant, a linebacker who suited up for the Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a six-year career and played collegiately at West Virginia, is a now a motivational speaker who spoke on how "goals are just dreams with a deadline."
"Our goal is to teach them to be healthy," Reagan said. "When the time comes, we want them to be prepared to make the right decision. We've hoping to get to them so they can make the best decision."
Rebecca Boone fourth-grader Natalie McDowell said she enjoyed the weeklong event. Most importantly, she's eager to live a healthy future.
It's very important (to be drug free) because they can make you die and really, really sick," she said.
Area school officials and others hope the Red Ribbon Week messages stick. Before leaving, Dalton asked the fourth-grade students whether they wanted to take drugs. The entire room of students shook their head no.
