About 3,500

fifth and sixth grade students gathered recently at

Fayette County High School's stadium for the largest

drug-free rally ever in Fayette County, maybe in the

state.

The event

was the high point of the school district's observance of

Red Ribbon Week, a national effort that started in 1985

in California, to educate and encourage young people to

say no to drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

The event

was coordinated by Karen Spangler, who heads up the

social services network for the school system.

Cheerleaders from all four local high schools worked the

crowd, as band members from Fayette County High School

kept the chants in rhythm.

The

Perfection on Wheels team of Matt Bennett, 30, of Boston

and John Dowker, 26, of Ontario performed their

repertoire of bicycle tricks to the cheers of thousands.

The message was clear - you can't do stunts stoned.

Both men are tops in their field of flat land freestyle

riding. "We have stayed drug free and stayed focused

on our sport," Bennett told his young audience. Each

came from a personal experience of knowing someone who

lost his focus and his love for riding bikes as a result

of drug use.

"Scott

was one of my best friends," Bennett said. Due to a

bike injury which sidelined him for six weeks from

riding, Bennett said his friend got involved with some

guys who "led him down a pretty bad road." But

when he got the green light from the doctor to resume

biking, he gave it up for different pursuits. "He

sold his bike and Scott's been in and out of jail

since," Bennett concluded.

"Stay

focused on whatever you want to be as a kid,"

Bennett instructed. "Keep your head clear, your body

healthy, stay focused and drug free."

Also

participating in the rally were deputies from the Fayette

County Sheriff's Department, with their drug dogs in tow,

and a local rap group.

Observances

of Red Ribbon Week will continue for many schools in the

county, including Peachtree City Elementary, where a

special program is planend Monday morning, and Fayette

Elementary School, which has celebrated Red Ribbon Week

all month long. "A week is just not enough,"

said a coach at the school.