RED RIBBONS REMIND KIDS TO STAY AWAY FROM DRUGS

Petaluma children have already decorated the city red as the McDowell Drug
Task Force prepares to celebrate Red Ribbon Week next week.

Fifteen years ago, Petaluma was one of the first communities to celebrate
the anti-drug campaign for school-age children.

In 1988, it became an official national celebration following the murder of
Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, according to Richard
Sharke, executive director of the all-volunteer McDowell Drug Task Force.

He said 25 schools in Petaluma and Rohnert Park are taking part in
activities designed to make children aware of the danger of drugs and to
equip them with tools to resist peer pressure.

"Everybody thinks things are comfy-cozy, and they are not," Sharke said.
"If everybody got involved, then we can make an impact."

Fore more information on the Red Ribbon Week program, call the McDowell
group at 762-3454 or 762-7702.