Red Ribbon Week will be recognized to start in LaGrange and West Point Monday. The national week raises awareness to teen alcohol and drug abuse throughout the United States.

Shannon Lawson, Troup County Prevention Coalition project coordinator, said the week’s theme this year is #mystoryis.

“Locally our school system celebrates it differently,” Lawson said. “Our theme this year is #mystoryis where we know that every teen or every community member has a story and all of our stories are made better when they’re drug and alcohol free. We’ve really pushed talking to people about ‘what is your story about, tell us your story.’”

Lawson said the youth advisory board for the TCPC was partly responsible for this year’s activities.

“We’ve had a great partnership with leadership classes at Troup High School this year. [They’re] really hoping to get the word out. They have taken on for this month in their class, drug and alcohol awareness and prevention, and they have come up with activities and awareness campaigns that they have put with at Troup High and in the community.”

Some of the events include guest speakers coming to middle schools, helping with the Teen Maze and a giveaway event at the drug drop off box at the Troup County Sheriff’s Office next Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, Lawson said.

Lawson said students have decorated Troup County High School for the week and that there is a wrecked car on display to warn students about drunk driving.

Lawson said the thing she admires about the week is the youth speaking up in Troup County about drug and alcohol awareness.

“I just think that we will raise just a healthier generation,” she said. “[Teenager’s] voices are so important. I don’t think we should ever look down on our young people.”