News : Be the Wall: Area teens, adults take stand on under age drinking

Elysia Cain tells the story of Enrique Camarena, who died fighting the Mexican drug cartels.

Jenn Draper poses with VSHS students Emily Miller, Marissa Eldred and Kelsey Kimm.

Jenn Draper of the Above the Infuence Coalition adds more names to Wall against under age drinking.

The "Be the Wall" campaign against drug use and under age drinking has been taking place throughout October.

The Above the Influence Coalition, which includes students from area schools and the ASAC office, held a ceremony at noon on Thursday at the Benton County Courthouse.

A "wall" of bricks with the signatures of several hundred area residents who sign to show their commitment to do what they can to prevent drug use and under age drinking was set up in the courthouse. It will remain there for several days.

Jenn Draper of ASAC (Area Substance Abuse Council) worked with area students on the project. Vinton-Shellsburg High School students Kelsey Kimm, Marissa Eldred and Emily Miller are members of the Above the Influence Coalition. They wore "Be the Wall" t-shirts to the event.

The event took place during "Red Ribbon Week."

Elysia Cain of ASAC told the people who gathered for the event that the third week in October has been designated "Red Ribbon Week" in honor of a young DEA agent named Enrique Camanera. He came to the U.S. from Mexico with the goal of becoming a DEA agent to fight the flow of drugs from Mexico. But just before completing a big drug arrest, Camanera was kidnapped. His body was later found in a shallow grave.

The Above the Influence Coalition helps encourage teenagers to avoid alcohol, drugs and tobacco. The organization helps sponsor events throughout the school year to raise awareness of these issues. Next month, the students plan some anti-smoking events.