Pubdate: Wed, 27 Oct 2004 Source: Virgin Islands Daily News, The (VI) Copyright: 2004 Virgin Islands Daily News Contact: http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3486 Author: Fiona Stokes-Gifft Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Red+Ribbon (Red Ribbon Week) SCHOOLS MARKING ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN WITH RALLIES, MARCHES Several local schools are joining national groups this week in organizing events aimed at raising awareness of alcohol and drug abuse. St. Croix's St. Mary's Catholic School kicked off the local Red Ribbon Week campaign with a march and rally Tuesday in downtown Christiansted. Other schools territorywide have scheduled Red Ribbon activities - essay and poster contests and ribbon distributions - that will run through Sunday. Anthony Mills, the Education Department's public relations officer, urged residents to contact schools for more information about events in their areas. The University of the Virgin Islands also joined the campaign this week, sponsoring pledge days, wear-red days, door decorating contests and a skit contest, all with anti-drug themes. The National Family Partnership organized the first nationwide Red Ribbon campaign in 1988. Since then, it has reached millions of children in the United States. The campaign pays tribute to U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, who was murdered by a drug cartel in Mexico in 1985. Organizers say they believe Camarena's accomplishments prove that one person can make a difference, so they adopted the red ribbon to symbolize his legacy. Denise Lewis, co-organizer of Red Ribbon activities through the Weed and Seed program on St. Croix, said the campaign is one of several local school- and community-based activities that are warning young people about the dangers of drug use. In honor of Red Ribbon Week, the Law Enforcement Planning Commission will conduct health screenings on St. Thomas. Screenings will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and Thursday at Kirwan Terrace Elementary School. Also, Iggies Beach Bar and Grill will play host to a 7 p.m. karaoke contest Thursday. Other commission activities include the Say Boo to Drugs Day rally from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday in Bovoni housing community and Family Day at 11 a.m. Friday at Magens Bay. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek