Stand up; speak out

Student Council and other clubs organize day of silence for Red Ribbon week

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photo credit: courtesy photo

Silence speaks louder than words \\ Participating in the Silent Truth, the Student Council represents the lives lost to substance abuse. “This project, even though relating to a heavy topic, is important to me and the impact it has on students,” President of Student Council Ryah Hill said.

writer: Cali Scott, Staff Reporter

In honor of Red Ribbon week, a week dedicated to spreading drug abuse awareness, schools all over the nation dressed up to support the campaign. However, for the second year in a row, the Student Council and other clubs decided to hold a more powerful event. 

 “Instead of doing dress up days with cheesy titles, we wanted to continue the project to bring light to a serious issue in teens,” President of Student Council Ryah Hill said. 

Members from the Student Council, TAFE, College Club, Diversity Club, etc. signed up to participate in the Silent Truth. Every class period, 20 students volunteered to stay silent Oct. 28. They represented the 136 young adult lives lost each week in 2020 to drug overdose. 

“It was hard when I needed help in my classes, but it was for a good reason,” student council member Ashleigh Bycott said.

In 2020, the amount of young adult deaths to substance abuse increased by 48% for a total number of 7,070 lives lost. 

Seeing the students in your class–or even seeing yourself–go silent for the whole day represents the harsh reality of substance abuse in society, a real issue Student Council hoped that students could see and acknowledge.

— Ryah Hill, senior

“It is a scary number, and it shows COVID’s impact on mental health. Young adults need to know how to take care of themselves not physically, but mentally too,” student council member Isabel Huckvale said. 

Student Council started this project to accurately represent the impact drug abuse has on teens and make students think about the true meaning behind Red Ribbon week. 

“Seeing the students in your class–or even seeing yourself–go silent for the whole day represents the harsh reality of substance abuse in society, a real issue Student Council hoped that students could see and acknowledge,” Hill said. 

High school students know others who struggle with drug abuse or struggle with it themselves. The Silent Truth hopes to reach out and help those students. 

“I know people personally that have dealt with substance abuse and I want others to get help before it’s too late,” Huckvale said. 

Call (866) 781-1924 for help or treatment information on substance abuse.