RED RIBBON WEEK

Walk into the smallest primary school or the largest high school, and
all the public schools in between here in Webster Parish this week and
you will likely see more than one hint that it is "National Red Ribbon
Week."

This campaign carries with it a strong message to our youth: only they
can take a stand and eliminate alcohol and drug abuse from their lives.

Students in each school are celebrating this campaign in several
different ways. Some are distributing flyers, decorating the schools
with posters and red bows, inviting guest speakers who explain tragic
statistics with students regarding the adverse effects of drug usage.

Students are also taking a pledge to "say no" to drugs. The pledges
are to lead a drug free life, a decision that will make them healthy
and happy. In addition, they pledge to help their friends to do the
same.

It is messages like these, by the kids, for the kids, that will have
the greatest impact on drug usage in the future. Efforts to combat the
import and distribution of dangerous drugs have been no where near
being successful.

The problem is that as long as we remain a society that places such a
great demand for drugs, there will always be a supply. The red ribbons
worn by hundreds of thousands of Americans became a symbol of the
National Federation of Parents for Drug Free Youth. It gives the
message that the best way to curb the recreational use of drugs is to
change the attitudes of our youth.

The red ribbon campaign was inspired by the death of Enrique "Kiki"
Camarena, a U.S. Drug Enforcement Officer who was hot on the trail of
Mexico's marijuana and cocaine barons. He was close to solving a
multi-billion dollar drug operation that he suspected involved
officers in the Mexican Army, police and government.

Camarena left his office on the way to have lunch with his wife in
February 1985 when five men forced him into a car. His body was
discovered a month later in a shallow grave.

He had been tortured, beaten, and murdered.

The first Red Ribbon Week took place in 1988 as an eight-day
celebration proclaimed by Congress. No other single drug prevention
movement in history has impacted as many lives in such a positive way.

Parents need to show an interest in our kids' involvement in this
campaign. They will need encouragement to take a stand. This gives an
opportunity to discuss the positive effects of a clean life. And
remember, the message starts at home. Drug free begins with you also.