'A VISIBLE STAND AGAINST DRUGS'

DPS Kicks Off Red Ribbon Week

The Orangeburg Department of Public Safety kicked off its Red Ribbon
Week celebration Monday at the department's headquarters. With
approximately 50 people in attendance, ODPS Chief Wendell Davis
welcomed and thanked them for participating in the celebration.

"The Orangeburg Department of Public Safety encourages the citizens
of Orangeburg to support activities that raise awareness and
encourage prevention of substance abuse," Davis said.

"We call upon every citizen to wear a red ribbon throughout the week
in recognition of their commitment to a healthy, drug-free lifestyle
and our commitment to a drug-free America."

Kenya Robinson and Nia Polidore of Sheridan Elementary School read
the history of Red Ribbon Week for those gathered.

In 1985, Enrique Camarena, Drug Enforcement Administration agent, was
kidnapped, tortured and brutally murdered by drug traffickers in
Mexico. Camarena's death and the memory of his commitment to making a
difference regarding the world's drug problem led to the inception of
what is known today as Red Ribbon Week.

The National Family Partnership sponsored the first National Red
Ribbon Celebration in 1988. Since then, millions of people have worn
the red ribbon as a symbol of the belief that individuals can make a
difference and raise their children to be healthy and drug free.

Reading from a proclamation from Mayor Paul Miller designating Oct.
23-31 as Red Ribbon Week, Davis reiterated the importance of the observance.

"The Red Ribbon Campaign is now the oldest and largest drug
prevention program in the nation," he said. "Approximately three
million young people between the ages of 14 and 17 have an alcohol
problem and more than half of America's school-age children have
tried illegal drugs by the time they finish high school."

"The Red Ribbon Campaign is an ideal way for people and communities
to unite and take a visible stand against drugs and show their
personal commitment to a drug-free lifestyle," Davis said.

Orangeburg Department of Public Safety Crime Prevention Specialist
Sgt. Aqkwele Polidore coordinated activities for the department and
participating schools for the week.

"This is certainly among the most important events we have in
relation to young people and drugs," Polidore said. "It provides
parents and teachers with a forum to discuss the drug problem in
general with young people and to talk with them about any contact
they might have had with drugs -- whether someone tried to give them
drugs or whether they've been tempted to try them."

"We must educate our young people all the time about the dangers of
drugs," she said. "Some of our youth come from environments where
drugs are pervasive. That's why we must get the communities involved
in prevention. They can take what they learn from the week's
activities back to the their communities and apply them. That's what
we want them to do."