A SIMPLE MESSAGE; RED RIBBON WEEK FETES DRUG-FREEDOM.

Byline: Douglas Clark Daily News Staff Writer

A bounty of Red Ribbon Week activities will culminate in a community rally Thursday with a poignant reminder of why the celebration of drug-free living was created 12 years ago.

Myrna Camarena, the sister of the federal agent who was murdered in 1985 by drug traffickers, will speak during the rally that begins at 6:30 p.m. at Royal High School stadium.

The rally also will include performances by marching bands, choirs and individual students from each school in the district, said Jane Troy, an elementary schoolteacher who has coordinated the event.

``Camarena will come from San Diego. But there are a lot of local people involved in the rally who are willing to stand up to say that they're committed to a drug-free life. They're good models for the students,'' she said.

The brutal murder of Enrique Camarena launched the Red Ribbon as a symbol of the need to convince youths of the dangers of drugs. Red Ribbon events took on various forms throughout the Simi Valley Unified School District on Monday, where students were entertained and then challenged to make a difference by saying no to drugs.

Teatro Para Los Jovenes, a program of the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts, performed ``Fool 4 Cool'' for students at Valley View Middle School. The play with music poked holes in the ``cool'' but destructive attitudes of those who play with drugs.

Following the performance, actress Marissa Rey said middle-schoolers can be a tough audience to reach.

``They're in a transitional stage between child and adult. Sometimes they're afraid to respond because they don't know if they'll look cool,''

But actor John Paul said the teens were still receptive to the message.

``They're so open. They'll receive whatever you give them. We try to give them the right message in a fun way,'' he said.

Assistant Principal Rich Griffin said the performance hit the mark.

``Peer pressure problems are more apparent than ever. For kids who might be sitting on the fence, an assembly like this might help them out,'' he said.

Ellen Owens, a counselor at Valley View, agreed that the activities all make their mark on students who are still influenced by the adult role-models in their lives. But they may do little to deter students who already are experimenting with drugs.

Tom Ritchie, a counselor at Hillside Middle School, said it is hard selling the drug-free message even with creative groups like the Ventura-based Flying Lindy Hoppers, a swing-dance troupe that performed for students Monday morning.

``We've got a lot of competition from outside sources. The kids are more aware of the problems now. But we present them with vivid examples of where drug problems can take you, and try to drive our message home,'' he said. Ritchie coordinated the Red Ribbon Week activities with school trustee Carla Kurachi, who was on campus Monday to encourage students to pledge a drug-free life.

Throughout the district, schools have planned poster contests, food drives, handouts of Red Ribbon Week pencils and bookmarks, pep rallies where students all wear red.

Also campuses have been decorated with red ribbons, and, in some cases, students have helped choose and coordinate events.

Valley View Middle School principal Janet Britz said it is important to let students help shape the week.

``I think you have to be creative each year because kids burn out on the same kinds of activities,'' she said.

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3 Photos

PHOTO (1--color) From left, Marissa Rey, Reggie DeLeon and John Paul perform an anti-smoking skit Monday for Valley View Middle School students.

(2--color) Pupils at Valley View Middle School in Simi watch a presentation.

(3) Bruce McCandless of the PTA volunteers in a K-9 exhibition at Thousand Oaks High School.

Tom Mendoza/Daily News