For the past several years, Four Peaks Elementary School and Fountain Hills Middle School students have had the opportunity to take part in Red Ribbon Day, a special event geared at educating local youth about the risks of drug use and other behavior that goes against good health and well-being.

This year’s event was held on Thursday, Oct. 9, hosting 600 local students for a day of education, activities and more.

In the past, Red Ribbon Day was hosted outside, with students having the opportunity to hear brief presentations from Arizona law enforcement and various other groups from around the community.

Last year, the event moved into the school’s gym, with additional stations added, as well as more emphasis on good decision making skills.

Participants include, but are not limited to, MCSO, the DEA, The Fort McDowell Police Department, the Scottsdale hospital system, the local Boys & Girls Club, the Fountain Hills Coalition and more.

Before heading off on fall break, students had the opportunity to move from station to station, taking part in a variety of activities. They learned about what different types of drugs look like and who to report them to, if seen. They discovered all sorts of facts about healthy eating habits, what fat does to the body, how to work as a team and more.

Helping the younger students make their way through the program were a group of eighth grade students, who had to take extra time to learn about their given topic before presenting it to their peers.

Fountain Hills Coalition board member Dwight Johnson helped at this year’s event and said it was a “great day” for all involved.

“Our sincere hope is that the students, besides having fun, will take away the very meaningful message and seriousness of taking illegal drugs,” Johnson said.

“In addition, they had the opportunity to meet and understand what so many of our dedicated public servants and protectors do to provide us with a better life.”