Students at Isabella High School had the opportunity on Tuesday to hear from local law enforcement officers about the dangers of drug usage.

Three special assembles were part of the school’s Red Ribbon Campaign, which focuses on a nationwide drug awareness program.

Since its beginning in 1985, the Red Ribbon Campaign has touched the lives of millions of people around the world, according to redribbon.org.

In response to the murder of Drug Enforcement Administration Agent Enrique Camarena, angered parents and youth in communities across the country began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction caused by drugs in America.

Officers with the Clanton Police Department and deputies with the Chilton County Sheriff’s Department spoke to three separate age groups of students about the impact drugs can have on someone’s life.

“Drugs will get you nowhere except in jail,” Chilton County Sheriff John Shearon told the students. “If you want a good job in life, don’t get involved with drugs.”

Erick Smitherman with the Clanton Police Department introduced a police drug dog, “Eiko.”

Smitherman placed some cocaine underneath a chair on stage and showed how quickly the dog could decipher which chair had the drugs.

David Clackley with the Clanton Police Department gave a presentation about internet safety.

“When you post something online, it should reflect who you really are,” Clackley said. “Posting things can ruin your reputation, though. It can get you in trouble with your parents, your school and even law enforcement.”

Clackley warned about the dangers of accepting friend requests on social media sites such as Facebook from strangers.

“You might think you know who that person is, but they could be posing as someone totally different,” Clackley said. “It is just like opening the door of your house to a complete stranger. You wouldn’t want to let them inside because they are a stranger. It is the same thing when you accept a friend request from someone you don’t know.”

Narcotics Investigator Devin Williams with the Chilton County Sheriff’s Department spoke about different drugs that are popular and the harmful ways the drugs can damage a person’s life.

Williams said currently, methamphetamines and ice methamphetamines are popular in Alabama.

“If you make a decision to start taking drugs, that could have an affect on where you go to college, where you get a job,” Williams said. “It can ruin your life. The drug lifestyle is not a lifestyle you want to live.”

Darrell Broadhead and Jimmie Hardee spoke to the students about how drugs impacted both of their lives.

Broadhead stood before the students wearing an orange jail jumpsuit and told about how he is currently incarcerated at the Chilton County Jail.

“I am living proof of where drugs will lead you,” Broadhead said. “You do not want this lifestyle.”

Hardee said he also made bad choices in life with many of his choices having consequences.

“You name the drug, I did it,” Hardee said. “When you get things on your record, it builds a reputation. I am nobody, but the Lord made me somebody. If people tell you drugs are cool, they are not your friends.”