Students in Suffolk Public Schools have been seeing red this week.

In recognition of “Red Ribbon Week,” students, teachers and even parents are pulling together to keep themselves, their friends, their students and their children drug-free.

“This week is about heightening awareness on how drugs impact their lives, their health, social development and learning,” said Draya Burden, Creekside Elementary School guidance counselor. “Drug use is always a problem, but especially in this economic setting, family members develop habits and students need to be informed about what’s right and what’s wrong.”

To raise awareness and symbolize their resolve to say no to drugs, students at Creekside wore their shirts backwards on Thursday to “turn their backs to drugs.”

Throughout the week, students in other schools also wore their shirts inside out because “drugs turn you EDISNI out,” they wore crazy socks to “sock-it to drugs,” they sported sunglasses to “shade out drugs” and they came to school in sweats because “being drug free is no sweat.”

Many schools also had a “Pledge to be Drug Free” oath for students to take part in. Students also wrote essays on being drug free.

Fourth-grader Ali Schulte wrote her essay on being drug-free because “it’s not safe,” Ali said. “You can die and get very sick. It tells people to say no to drugs.”

Curriculum and other learning resources incorporated “drug-free” facets to their week’s lessons, as well.

Even the parents are getting on board with “Red Ribbon Week.”

The John Yeates Middle School Parent Teacher Association invited Michelle Prescott, Virginia health and safety PTA chairwoman, to do a presentation on one of the newest addictive substances tempting teenagers: alcoholic energy drinks.

“We need to educate ourselves before we can educate our children of what the risks are out there,” said Gloria Lorey, John Yeates PTA president. “There are new dangers out there all the time. It’s good to see the schools taking an active part in raising awareness to put a stop to drugs. More should be done throughout the year, and as parents we should be involved all year long and reminding our kids about what’s really going on and how to stay out of it.”