Sidney's Top Stories of 2015
Kat Perkins rocked Sidney High School on Tuesday, October 27; Perkins gave an energized performance during her concert after Dr. Gary Dale addressed the community about the deadly consequences that come with drug and alcohol use. Both Dr. Dale and Perkins spoke to students about drug awareness during the student assembly earlier that day. The event was held as part of Red Ribbon Week. Photo by Meagan Dotson.
Red Ribbon Week was October 23-30 across the nation, and the Richland County Comes Together Committee and Checkers worked in partnership with City Council, the DUI Taskforce, District II Drug and Alcohol, RSVP and the Richland County Health Department, the Foundation for Community Care, law enforcement, city officials, and local businesses to voice a clear message about the dangers of drug use.
When Checkers' owner Janette McCollum's learned that findings from a 2015 Quest Diagnostics study showed that there had been a 9.3% national increase in the number of individuals who tested positive for drugs in the workforce, compared to a 4.7% increase in 2014, McCollum felt a responsibility to make a difference. Red Ribbon Week was the perfect opportunity as a national drug-free campaign that gets students and parents involved in drug awareness.
The Richland County Comes Together Committee was formed and called on businesses and individuals to help them raise $35,000 to bring Kat Perkins from The Voice and Dr. Gary Dale, a former Montana State Medical Examiner to Richland County. Dr. Dale and Perkins spoke during a county-wide school assembly the afternoon of Tuesday, October 27th. That evening a free community meal was served at the Sidney High School prior to Dr. Dale speaking during a community assembly and then Perkins performed a 75-minute concert free to the public. The donations received provided the event to the community at no cost.
Businesses were invited to join in with local schools for Red Ribbon Fun Days and were encouraged to create a window display for Red Ribbon Week. Proclamations were issued from the County Commissioners on October 13th and Sidney City Council on October 19th. Treatment centers from Montana and North Dakota were available at both assemblies handing out information regarding drugs and or alcohol abuse, suicide, bullying, internet gambling, cyber bullying etc. and at the beginning of both assembly, officials of the community who work daily to keep Richland County drug free and safe, received special recognition.
The efforts of the Richland County Comes Together Committee along with the support and partnership of businesses, non-profit organizations, and individuals of Richland County made Red Ribbon Week of 2015 one to remember.
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