Pubdate: Sun, 18 Oct 2009
Source: El Paso Times (TX)
Copyright: 2009 El Paso Times
Contact: http://www.elpasotimes.com/formnewsroom
Website: http://www.elpasotimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/829
Author: Isabel Rodriguez

TIGUAS ENCOURAGE DRUG-FREE LIFESTYLE

EL PASO -- The Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo wants help the El Paso community
live drug-free.

The pueblo had its Red Ribbon Block Party on Saturday to help its
efforts.

"Every year we come," Mirna Diaz said. "We walk around, eat ... things
like that. It's just to support everything they do."

The community event included music, hay rides and a mini health
fair.

Angel Montoya, the event's program coordinator, said the Tigua Indian
tribe works with the community as much as possible, and tries to
partner with outside agencies to battle drug abuse.

He said drug legalization is not the right approach to fight
drugs.

"We need to look at healthy lifestyles," Montoya said. "Now we're more
conscious of what we eat ... and we need to take the same approach to
drugs and alcohol. (We need) to look at what we're really doing."

Representatives from several drug recovery nonprofit agencies were at
the event to answer questions about drug abuse, recovery and awareness.

Leticia Miranda, a victim services specialist for Mothers Against
Drunk Driving, said the organization often partners with others to
increase awareness about the dangers of alcohol.

"We're not against drinking alcohol," she said. "We're for responsible
drinking."

Congress proclaimed the first Red Ribbon Week in 1988, honoring
Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration agent who
in 1985 was kidnapped and killed in Mexico shortly after he uncovered
a multibillion-dollar scam, possibly involving the Mexican army,
police force and government. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D