Drug Free Moore County recently joined 4,000 other local drug prevention coalitions Wednesday, Oct. 21, to usher in Red Ribbon Week.

About 200 young people, parents and community leaders gathered at Sandhills Community College to celebrate the principle that "even one person can make a difference."

The concept was devised 20 years ago to remind residents that healthy, drug-, alcohol- and tobacco-free youth have their whole communities behind them in order to help them stay on course.

Other members of DFMC were on hand to support the programs, including Tom Brennan, Mary Ellen Skidmore, Karen Wicker, Tina Kissell, Cindy Morgan, Dave Reece, Myra McIntyre, Brooke Love, Capt. Jerrell Seawell, Sal DiBianca and DFMC scholarship recipients Christopher Riggs and Daryl Hardy.

Guests enjoyed free refreshments and prizes after the program and music. Capt. Jerrell Seawell, Moore County Sheriff's Office, was the main speaker.

Music, and a new video titled "Stay Sharp," was presented by Sal DiBianca and the musicians and chorus of Sandhills Teen Challenge.

Displays were available on various topics of interest to parents, children and teens, including AA and TATU (the teen tobacco education program at FirstHealth).

Chief John Letteney, of the Southern Pines Police Department, was also on hand.

Drug Free Moore County sponsored Sandhills Teen Challenge in presenting the new program at school assemblies and puppet shows to nearly 6,000 Moore County students during the Red Ribbon calendar. Also, a special luncheon was held for clergy and congregational representatives, under the auspices of the Sandhills Fellowship of Churches, to reach out to families regarding prevention and intervention of substance abuse.

Moore County Commissioner Cindy Morgan spearheaded the effort to obtain a proclamation declaring Red Ribbon Week in Moore County, which was further embraced by the towns of Aberdeen, Carthage, Foxfire, Pinehurst and others. Efforts to involve more municipalities will continue with follow-up events and programs in 2010.

DFMC co-sponsored a Community Gang Education Forum with the Gang Task Force and the District Attorney's Office at Sandhills Community College, attended by 65 leaders from a cross section of civic groups, housing authorities, law enforcement agencies and youth groups.

The sense that more is being done to promote prevention prevailed at the informational session, which included networking among agencies and individuals. District Attorney Maureen Krueger led the effort to involve various segments of the community in the effort.

"On behalf of Drug Free Moore County, we wish to thank all the agencies and individuals who helped publicize and carry out the community events this year," says Darlind Davis, director.

For more information, contact Drug Free Moore County at (910) 947-1902 or visit the Web site drugfreemc.com.

Jim Miles is chairman of Drug Free Moore County.