ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office officials joined Board of Education representatives Feb. 10 at the Robertsdale Central Annex to recognize student essay contest winners and a fund drive to raise money to purchase a drug-sniffing canine for the Sheriff’s Office.

Baldwin County Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack said he was “overwhelmed” by the number of pennies collected, and the no-drugs message presented in student essays.

“I am a member of Leadership Alabama and about 50 of us representing the state meet to discuss the economy and various topics. I have learned that the only crime prevention occurs in our homes and schools.

“We need to address it at a very early age.”

Schools resource Dep. Jeff Spaller said school officials and students who participated in the essay is unique.

“The essay requires that students put some thought into why they want to live a drug free life,” Spaller said. “I have often been told if you write down your goals and objectives that you stand a better chance of sticking to them. I hope that this was beneficial for the fourth- through sixth-graders that participated. The essays have been read and judged by independent community organizations and three overall winners from each grade were selected.”

The Red Ribbon Campaign began when drug traffickers in Mexico City murdered Kiki Camareana, a DEA agent in 1985. The death began a tradition of displaying red ribbons as a symbol of intolerance of drug use. Schools participating in the Pennies for Puppies program were:

Bay Minette Intermediate School, Spanish Fort Elementary School, Rockwell Elementary School, Summerdale School, Central Baldwin Middle School, Delta School, Gulf Shores Elementary School, Orange Beach Elementary School, Elberta Elementary School, Pine Grove School, Elsanor Elementary School, Magnolia School, Swift School, Robertsdale Elementary School, Gulf Shores Middle School, Perdido School, Stapleton School, Fairhope Middle School, W.J. Carroll Daphne, Daphne Elementary North, Daphne Elementary East , Silverhill School, South Baldwin Center for Technology, Elberta Middle School, Robertsdale High School and Rosinton School.