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.

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