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Red Ribbons for a drug-free Union County
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Since July 2008, I have had the privilege of being a part of the Union
County Safe Communities Coalition (formerly known as the Union County
Prevention Committee). The coalition is comprised of a wide variety of
people from throughout Union County.
The mission of the coalition is “to inform and educate our communities about substance abuse in Union County, specifically among underage youth; our goal is to decrease underage drinking through raised awareness and community engagement.” This is the third year that the Union County Safe Communities Coalition has made the National Red Ribbon campaign a focus for the month of October. Ribbons have become a popular symbol for so many causes and ideals. For the past 25 years the red ribbon has been used to symbolize substance abuse awareness and prevention. In 1988, a Presidential Proclamation was issued declaring that National Red Ribbon Week be officially observed from Oct. 23-31. The mission of the National Red Ribbon Campaign is to present a unified and visible commitment toward the creation of a “Drug Free America.’’ According to the National Family Partnership, the National Red Ribbon Campaign is now the oldest and largest drug prevention awareness campaign in the nation. They estimate that nearly 80 million people participate in the national campaign each year. The National Red Ribbon Campaign began as a symbol of remembrance. It began as a way to honor the memory and life of Enrique (Kiki) Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration special agent from California who was killed in Mexico in 1985. Camarena had been working undercover for the DEA investigating a major drug cartel in Mexico when he was kidnapped and brutally murdered by drug traffickers. His death brought to light the danger of drugs and the international scope of the illegal drug trade. Shortly after Special Agent Camarena’s death, his friends, neighbors and colleagues began wearing red satin ribbons as a way to honor Camarena and the sacrifice he made in the fight against illegal drugs. This one small act spread from Camarena’s hometown of Calexico, Calif., throughout the state and eventually the nation. Camarena’s death mobilized the public and raised awareness of drug abuse and prevention. The campaign grew so large that in 1988, the National Family Partnership coordinated the first National Red Ribbon Week with President and Mrs. Reagan serving as honorary chairpersons. “Red Ribbon Week honors Kiki Camarena, who 25 years ago made the ultimate sacrifice fighting drugs,’’ said DEA Acting Administrator Michele M. Leonhart. “The news of his death touched the nation, and today, millions of young people born well after Kiki’s death wear red ribbons and sign pledges to remain drug-free.’’ The Union County Safe Communities Coalition invites all of Union County to join with us and take a visible stand against substance abuse. Some things that you can do include: • wear a red ribbon on your lapel • put a red ribbon magnet on your vehicle • make eating meals together as a family a priority because studies show that the more often you eat meals with your kids, the less likely they are to engage in risky behaviors • talk to your kids about not using drugs, alcohol and tobacco • lock up your alcohol and medicine cabinets • properly dispose of your no longer needed prescription drugs (Red Cross Drug in La Grande offers free prescription drug disposal).
The Winning Essay:
Auslin McDaniel-Perrin is the winner of Red Cross Drug Store’s annual essay contest for Red Ribbon Week. Auslin received a $25 Itunes gift card in addition to the honor of having her essay published in The Observer. The staff at Red Cross Drug said they were very impressed with the content of all of the essays received. Darcy Blackman coordinated the contest. The essay follows:
People who do drugs believe the outcome is good, but really, it is not. You could lose everything you ever worked for: your life, money, appearance, friends, family and your control. Your hope and dreams would all float away like dust in the wind. Nothing about drugs is good, and sadly, your friends, and maybe even your family, could persuade you by telling you “positive” things about it, but if you look beyond the lies and illusions they tell you, you may see the real things that happen. Just think of your life with no teeth, or a body covered in scars. A life with tattered clothes, bad relationships, no money or job, your only home is a jail cell, and just knowing you would never truly be in total control. All this could happen by saying “Just once,” but that “just once” can be a life-changing experience, a life far beyond the one you are in now, far more expensive, scary and less hopeful. Nothing in your life is as bad as drugs, so do yourself a favor, and don’t do drugs! |
