NATCHEZ &045;&045; No, those aren’t miniature businessmen on the playground at Morgantown Elementary today.

The children decked out in neckties are merely showing their support for a drug-free America, or tying one on against drugs.

As part of annual Red Ribbon Week all Natchez-Adams district schools are having special events and giveaways this week.

At Natchez High preparations started a month ago to commemorate the week. The library sponsored an essay contest, &uot;My Vision for a Drug Free America,&uot; all students will get red ribbons and stickers to wear throughout the week and banners are posted around campus, Librarian Sandra Peoples said.

Red Ribbon Week started nationally in 1986 after the murder of Californian Enrique &uot;Kiki&uot; Camarena, a drug enforcement agent assigned to a case in Mexico.

At Morgantown Elementary drug prevention is discussed year-round, counselor Peggy June said, but there will be even more emphasis this week.

The school uses puppets for the younger students along with books on drug refusal skills and choosing friends wisely, June said.

For Red Ribbon Week Morgantown will expand their education beyond the students to their parents. Thursday from 12 to 1 p.m. the school will have a prevention specialist on campus to talk to parents in a special program.

Later in the week students will receive activity books and bring in can goods for charity on &uot;can drugs&uot; day.

Though getting in-depth on drugs is a little heavy for kindergartners and first-graders, West Primary Counselor Lucille Baldwin said the school still addresses the issue.

&uot;We talk about alcohol, taking the right kinds of medicines and smoking,&uot; Baldwin said. &uot;We focus on those issues.&uot;

The West students started the week by wearing red on Monday and will receive pencils, ribbons, stickers and candy during the rest of the week.