SAM HOUSTON STUDENTS 'JUST SAY NO!'

Ten-year-old Onesha Ferguson watched the crystal blue sky over Sam
Houston Elementary School closely Monday afternoon. The young girl
surveyed every inch of the brilliant canvas -- searching for her
classroom's single red balloon.

"We are out here for Red Ribbon Week," Ferguson said prior to the
release of several dozen red balloons. "We are going to stay drug and
alcohol free."

Sam Houston's balloon rally was just one of many ceremonies held
across the state Monday to kick off Red Ribbon Week -- a seven day
commitment to promoting healthy, drug-free lifestyles for Texas youth.

"Red Ribbon Week is about encouraging kids to be drug-free," Dave
Wanser, deputy commissioner for the Department of State Health
Services, said in a press release. "This campaign provides
communities with a forum to bring together parents, schools and
businesses as we look for a new and innovative way to keep kids drug free."

Locally, students across the county will participate in drug-free
rallies, poster and song contests, schoolwide human chains and much
more throughout the week. Additionally, speakers from Mothers Against
Drunk Driving and other agencies against drug and alcohol use will
address entire school bodies.

Red Ribbon Week is held each year to honor Enrique "Kiki" Camarena.

A U.S. Marine and former police officer, Camarena took a job with the
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration during the 1980s. The DEA sent
Camarena to work undercover in Mexico investigating a major drug
cartel believed to include officers in the Mexican army, police and government.

On Feb. 7, 1985, 37-year-old Camarena left his office to meet his
wife for lunch. Outside, five men surrounded the agent and pushed him
into a car. One month later, Camarena's body was found in a shallow
grave. He had been tortured to death.

Coalitions back home soon began to wear red badges of satin to honor
Camarena's memory. Soon these badges turned into the red ribbons worn
by students today.

The National Family Partnership organized the first Nationwide Red
Ribbon Campaign in 1988. Since that time, the campaign has reached
millions of U.S. children.

Red Ribbon Week runs Oct. 23-31.