Pubdate: Thu, 19 Oct 2006
Source: Hilltop Times (UT)
Copyright: 2006 Hilltop Times
Contact:  http://www.hilltoptimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4326
Author: Beth Young

EDUCATION CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Hill Red Ribbon Week Activities

There will be an information booth at the Hill Clinic, Monday-Friday 
9 a.m.-3 p.m. in front of the pharmacy.

Goodie bags and information handouts will be given to Hill pediatric 
patients throughout the week.

Drug prevention presentation planned at Wasatch Elementary, Oct. 24 
at 1:30 p.m.

Drug prevention presentation at the Hill Youth Center, Oct 25 at 4 p.m.

For more information on drug and alcohol abuse, contact the Family 
Advocacy Center at 777-3497.

For more than 20 years, red ribbons have been seen across America 
during the last week of October as part of the Red Ribbon campaign, 
one of the oldest and largest drug prevention programs in the nation.

"The overall point of Red Ribbon Week is to impact society as a 
whole," said Capt. Dahvyn Osher, Hill Alcohol and Drug Abuse 
Prevention and Treatment Program manager. "The idea is that through 
education we really can make a difference."

The campaign, which is focused mostly on children, was started when 
drug traffickers in Mexico City murdered Kiki Camarena, a Drug 
Enforcement Administration agent, in 1985. Red ribbons served as a 
symbol of intolerance toward the use of illegal drugs. Even two 
decades later this campaign is still important, said Captain Osher.

"Drug and alcohol abuse has not gone away," he said. "Education and 
prevention go hand and hand. Red Ribbon Week educates kids, schools 
and parents. It's about creating a positive peer culture."

This year's Red Ribbon Week presents an opportunity for parents and 
schools to talk to children about the realities of drug use. Captain 
Osher said many children believe that drug use among their peers is 
prevalent and try to live up to this idea.

"Forty percent of students believe that than 21 percent of their 
student peers used marijuana in the past year, only 9 actually use," 
he said. "Also, 65 percent of students believe that more than 41 
percent of their student peers drank alcohol in the past year and 
only 30 percent did."

By expelling these myths through education, Captain Osher said that 
it will help to shape social norms early on and prevent drug use.

"It really is vital -- especially in this day and age where drug use 
starts younger and younger -- to start talking to kids in elementary 
school," he said.

Although the program's goal is to get children to commit to living 
drug-free lives, education is also needed for adults.

"Airmen also report that they think their peers drink larger 
quantities and more often than they actually do," said Staff Sgt. 
Tracy Davidson, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program NCOIC.

Drug and alcohol abuse in the military not only hurts the individual 
but can have a much further reaching impact.

"Even coming into work hung over is going to impact the mission," 
Sergeant Davidson said. "There is a lot to be lost if you are not 
drinking responsibly, and, if you are choosing illegal drugs, your 
career is on the line."

Even a small alcohol-related incident can equal lost duty hours and 
negative career impacts.

"(Airmen) need to recognize that you don't have to be an alcoholic to 
really negatively affect your life," Captain Osher said. "Getting in 
a fight, car accidents, DUIs and missing work -- that is all tied to 
alcohol use and poor decision making when you drink an excessive 
amount in a short amount of time."

Hoping to prevent alcohol related problems, Airmen are briefed when 
they arrive at Hill about responsible alcohol use.

"Just as parents play a huge role (with prevention), Airmen are 
looking up to their senior leadership," said Sergeant Davidson. "They 
watch how (leaders) drink when they are TDY and at the clubs. 
Leadership really needs to help set the social norms and let the 
Airmen realize you can drink responsibly."

More than 80 million people across the nation will be participating 
in Red Ribbon week activities, pledging to live drug-free lives.

"Red Ribbon week is an opportunity for everybody to create a 
healthier society in general," Captain Osher said. "A lot of our 
young Airmen are potential parents of future Airmen. We know there 
tends to be tradition in families about military service. If we can 
impact one generation, it can help the next generation to make better choices."
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MAP posted-by: Elaine