RED RIBBON RALLY KICKS OFF TOMORROW

Tomorrow's Red Ribbon Week Kickoff Rally at Ryon Park could put the word
free back in drug-free.

Dozens of prizes, including bikes, stereos, and skateboards will be raffled
off every half-hour of the free 4-hour event, which organizers say is
designed to show children fun alternatives to drug use.

Carnival game booths - including carpet bowling and golf putting - a
helicopter fly-in and karate demonstrations are just some of the events
planned for the kickoff of Red Ribbon Week, during which police will be
visiting area schools to promote a drug-free lifestyle.

Red Ribbon Week is a "national effort that recognizes that there is a drug
problem and we need to work to turn children away from drugs," said rally
chairman Russ Mengel.

The rally will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a 1-mile run scheduled to
leave for the stage area at the park around 10 a.m.

Free hot dogs and drinks served between 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Mengel, the Lompoc police's D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Awareness Education)
officer, is encouraging parents to use the event to initiate a discussion of
drugs with their children.

"Parents need to sit down and talk with their kids about (drugs)," Mengel said.

Even if parents don't feel they have all the answers, Mengel said,
information will be available this Saturday that could help. He said it's
matter of parents getting involved. "Parents are the key to all of this,"
Mengel said.

Local civic groups and businesses have donated their time and raffle gifts,
Mengel said, and are involved in the school education assemblies.

"It's not just the police department telling (the children)," Mengel said.
"There are other people in the community that want to see kids achieve good
things in their lives."