The countdown is underway with less than two weeks before Red Ribbon Week is upon us and the Richland County Comes Together committee has been diligently working to make it a week to remember. In light of a 2015 Quest Diagnostic Report that showed drug use in the workplace had jumped from a 4.9% increase in 2014 to a 9.3% increase in 2015, concerned members of the community came together to make sure Richland County received a loud and clear message about the dangers of drug use.
A school assembly is scheduled from 1:00 pm until 3:15 pm on Tuesday, October 27th, where Dr. Gary Dale and Kat Perkins, from “The Voice” will speak to the students. Kat’s presentation to the students is entitled, “Dream It, Do It”. She will also perform her new hit song “Fearless”. A FREE community meal will begin at the Sidney High School Cafeteria at 4:30 pm. The evening session will begin at 6:00 pm where Dr. Dale will be speaking to the parents, grandparents, business owners and everyone in the community about drug usage. At 7:30 pm Kat Perkins will be performing a 75 minute concert for everyone.
Businesses have been invited to join in with local schools for Red Ribbon Fun Days which include Spider Web Day on Monday the 26th … Don’t get caught in the web of addiction, Kat Day Tuesday the 27th … Don’t be katty, drugs make you batty! Red Tie Day on Wednesday the 28th … Don’t get tied up in drugs! Mustache Day on Thursday the 29th … I must-ache you not to use drugs, and Pajama Day on Friday the 30th … Don’t be sleepy, drugs are creepy! All businesses are encouraged to create a window display for Red Ribbon Week; a prize will be awarded to the business with the best display.
Proclamations from the County Commissioners will be issued on October 13th and Sidney City Council on October 19th. Eleven treatment centers from Montana and North Dakota will be available at both assemblies handing out information to everyone in attendance regarding drugs and or alcohol abuse, suicide, bullying, internet gambling, cyber bullying etc. Everyone will receive a goodie bag as they walk out the door after each assembly. At the beginning of both assemblies, officials of the community who work daily to keep Richland County drug free and safe, will receive special recognition.
In association with Red Ribbon Week, Checkers will be holding two employer training sessions. On October 29th and 30th the Designated Employer Representative (DER) and Reasonable Suspicion Training and Certification will be held at the Checker’s Conference Center, 223 N Central Ave in Sidney. This will provide DOT and non-DOT drug and alcohol training and is suggested for all employers and supervisors who have an established drug and alcohol program. Reasonable Suspicion Training will be held from 8:00 am until noon and DER Training will be from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm both days. To register, go to http://www.drugcheckers.com and print the registration form; all registration forms MUST be faxed to 406-488-5899 by Monday, October 26th. For more information, including cost and payment methods, contact Checkers at 406-488-5800.
As Red Ribbon Week draws nearer, there has been an outpouring of support from the community, City and County Officials, businesses, and non-profit organizations but there is still an $8,500 gap that needs to be filled to ensure a free concert to all that want to attend. Donations can be made by texting the word DRUG to 41444 and a message will be sent with a link to complete the donation. Click the link and complete your gift through the secure credit card process. Mailed donations can be sent to Foundation for Community Care, 221 2nd St NW, Sidney, MT, 59270 or Checkers at 223 N Central Ave (P.O. Box 899), Sidney, MT, 59270 with Red Ribbon Week written in the memo space. All donations must be made payable to the Foundation for Community Care and are completely 501c3 tax-deductible and donors will receive a thank you as well as a year-end statement from the Foundation for Community Care.
“We so greatly appreciate the community’s support and the donations we have received so far,” said Checkers Owner Janette McCollum.
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