A group of teenagers were on hands and knees on asphalt in the sunshine Sunday, chalking encouraging messages for the children at Pepperell Primary School.

It’s the Pepperell High School chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions’ way of kicking off Red Ribbon Week. An oval stretches across the primary school’s entrance road, and inside the oval, the word “DRUGS” is crossed out.

Red Ribbon Week is a national event when schoolchildren commit to avoid drugs and alcohol. It also commemorates the death of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena, who was killed by drug traffickers in Mexico.

Click here to read a previous story about Red Ribbon Week.

“What I try to get with SADD is to let them know they’re role models to the primary school kids,” said club adviser Alana Ellenburg. “These kids look up to teenagers. And when they see teenagers doing wrong, they’re going to do wrong.”

Ellenburg said it is difficult to see students make destructive decisions.

“It’s hard to watch them,” Ellenburg said. “Even if it’s just the parents of the child. It’s hard on the child.”

Ashtyn Johnston, a sophomore and vice president of the club, said she tries to be a role model.

“We’re trying to show people you have a better life if you don’t do drugs,” Ashtyn said. “I guess it’ll show that other people aren’t doing drugs, so you don’t have to do drugs.”

Ellenburg’s 6-year-old daughter Eva said she thinks the messages will encourage her classmates to avoid making destructive choices.

“Every time we go to the gym we walk this way,” Eva said. “I think they’re great.”