Windthorst students learn about drug risks in Red Ribbon Week

WINDTHORST (KFDX/KJTL) — During Red Ribbon Week, Windthorst students experienced a dose of reality about drug use.

Officials from Red River Hospital and the Texas Department of Public Safety were on campus Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, to talk to the students about the dangers of drug abuse and how the choices they make today can affect their future.

DPS Sergeant Juan Gutierrez talked to the students about addiction, gateway drugs, and how alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use can ruin lives. He also gave a first-hand account of having a tough start as an adolescent.

“I had a rough childhood myself, and I know that there’s a lot of kids struggling. But the biggest thing that I want them to realize is that there’s ways that we can get help and that we don’t have to resort to those other things that I know there’s people here in our community and they really care about us. Would love nothing more than to stop everything and do what we can to help you and from taking that route and becoming a statistic,” Gutierrez said.

Statistics show a decrease in adolescent overdose deaths aged 15-24. Fentanyl remains the primary driver of overdose deaths.

Red Ribbon Week is an annual drug awareness and prevention campaign that was started in 1985 after the murder of DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. The campaign promotes a drug-free lifestyle and is the longest-running drug prevention program.