“POULSBO – Next week is Drug-Free Week throughout the North Kitsap School District. The district has planned several activities for the week, which has been held since 1991. The purpose is to warn kids about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse and to offer healthy alternatives, said Gayl TenEyck, who is coordinating the event for the district. Two of the days, she said, are focused on emphasizing reading and relationship-building, two activities that can help ward off substance abuse. We know those are positive assets for kids, said TenEyck – but added that it isn’t only kids the district is hoping to reach. I hope parents, and not only kids, take part in the activities, she said. I think the activities are worthwhile for them, and they’ll foster relationships with families and with friends. This is TenEyck’s first year coordinating the event, but she has a history with it; her children have attended the fishing derby that is an annual part of the drug-free week. The district hands out substance-abuse information all year long in its health program, TenEyck said, but this week is special. This is to give a focused attention to drug and alcohol-free behavior, and promote activities that do that, she said. Those activities include: *Red Ribbon Day. On Monday, April 16, red ribbons will be tied on as many cars in the district and school lots as possible. The ribbons are meant to remind young people about the dangers of drinking and driving. *April 17 will be reserved for emphasizing building new relationships. *Drug Free sticker day is April 18. Drug-free themed stickers will be handed out to students in all grades. *April 19 will feature a class for parents called The Real Inside Story. The class, which is put on by a pair of medical experts, shows first-hand what damage alcohol and drugs can do to the human body. To make the point stick, the two presenters, Kathy Ketchum and Becky Engel, bring along some damaged human organs for participants to look at. At the end of the presentation, the audience is invited to don gloves and touch. *Reading is Fun Day is April 20. The day will be reserved for a focus on reading as a fun activity. *The fishing derby will be held April 21 at the Poulsbo Junior High Horticulture Pond for kids ages 0-12. The derby will be held from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 21; kids must bring their own fishing gear. *There will be a drug-free swim at the North Kitsap pool from 1:15 to 2:45 p.m. on April 22. The admission will be free. The Drug Free events are not limited to North Kitsap Schools; Central Market has produced bags promoting the week, and the Kitsap Mall will host a drug-free weekend April 28 and 29. “