Pubdate: Sun, 21 Oct 2012
Source: Daily Courier (Prescott, AZ)
Copyright: 2012 Prescott Newspapers, Inc.
Contact: http://www.dcourier.com/Formlayout.asp?formcall=userform&form=1
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Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4036
Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/topic/Red+Ribbon+Week

WEEK CHIPS AWAY AT DRUGS IN SOCIETY

This week, the nation observes Red Ribbon Week, a time for adults and 
young people alike to reflect on the dangers of drug, alcohol and 
tobacco abuse and to instill in all of us that "The Best Me Is Drug-Free."

In Prescott, students will tie red ribbons to the fence in front of 
Abia Judd Elementary School, and their principal, Rosemary 
Agneessens, will encourage them to participate in conversations with 
their parents about the importance of avoiding drugs. Taylor Hicks 
Elementary School Principal Brian Moore will talk to his students 
each morning about living their lives drug-free.

This message cannot come early enough to youngsters, with hopes they 
will pay attention to the wisdom of what it says and resolve to never 
get involved with drugs.

Red Ribbon Week honors DEA Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena who 
was brutally murdered in 1985 by drug traffickers out of revenge by 
Mexican drug cartels for a multimillion dollar narcotics operation in 
Chihuahua, Mexico, that he was instrumental in busting. People of his 
hometown, Calexico, Calif., united and wore red ribbons to 
commemorate Camarena's sacrifice.

This small beginning sparked a nationwide unity against illegal 
drugs, and in 1988 the National Family Partnership organized the 
first national Red Ribbon Week, which was proclaimed by the U.S. 
Congress and chaired by Nancy Reagan.

When we wear red ribbons this week, we demonstrate our opposition to 
illegal drugs and at the same time pay respect to Camarena and all 
the other men and women who have died in the war on drug trafficking and abuse.

Yes, most of us agree that the war on drugs seems endless, no matter 
the amount of education and resources we invest in fighting it. But, 
we must keep chipping away at such a destructive force that touches 
so many lives.

This year's Red Ribbon Week offers a contest for those who decorate 
the front of their homes with the message, "The Best Me Is Drug 
Free." They can take a photo of the display and submit it to 
www.redribbon.org/contest or www.facebook.com/RedRibbonWeek by Nov. 
2. People can jump on the bandwagon and vote for their friends' and 
families' entries at www.redribbon.org/vote from Nov. 2 to Nov. 16.

The winner will receive a $1,000 drug-prevention grant for his or her 
school and a new iPad to take home.

This is a tangible reward for pledging to stay drug-free.

But, the greatest prize of all is carrying through life the message 
that "The Best Me Is Drug-Free" and the vision of the simple red ribbon.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom