RED RIBBONS

A special reminder for children and adults.

October is special in many ways. It is a month during which Americans
traditionally begin the rush toward the hectic holiday season. The weather
changes. And it's the time of Red Ribbon Week.

You're likely to see red ribbons on shirts, blouses, posters and car
antennas all over the South Coast in the next few days. Red Ribbon Week
officially begins today and concludes next Saturday with an evening of swing
dancing, skateboarding and a haunted house at three locations in Santa
Barbara -- Ortega Park, the Downtown Carrillo Gym and BeBop Burgers. Each
site will have its own theme. Red Ribbon Week is a communitywide effort
sponsored by Fighting Back and the South Coast Rotary Clubs.

But the overall theme of Red Ribbon Week has not changed in its nearly 15
years of existence. It began nationwide after the shooting death of a drug
enforcement officer in 1985. The purpose of the red ribbons is to signify a
drug-free lifestyle, specifically for young people. But Red Ribbon Week has
grown over the years to include parents in its sphere of influence. After
all, how good can an anti-drug message really be unless parents are directly
involved in the life choices being made by their children?

In fact, Red Ribbon Week 1999 will put special emphasis on the role adults
play in drug prevention. The big message is that parents need to be good,
solid and reliable role models for their children. It is the kind of
guidance an outsider often cannot effectively give a child.

As usual, there will be a series of special events throughout the South
Coast. A poster contest kicks off the week-long celebration of sobriety.
Kids have been working on their posters for months and the winners will be
honored with cash awards, plus they will have their posters displayed in a
special calendar that will be distributed in the local school systems.

Another major event -- the annual fund-raiser car wash -- will be held from
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fairview Center, Santa Barbara High School, Bodekker
Chevron and El Puente School. Teens from local high school and junior highs
will be on hand at those sites to wash your car for a modest fee. The
proceeds finance the annual activities of clubs at those schools that
promote drug prevention and sober activities.

Yet another major event is a luncheon next Friday at Fess Parker's
Doubletree Resort at which former Cincinnati Reds manager Sparky Anderson
will be guest speaker. The luncheon's theme is that the drug-free message
isn't just for children. You can arrange to attend the luncheon, which
begins at 11:30 a.m., by calling Fighting Back at 682-6667.

There are many important messages in Red Ribbon Week each year. When you see
one of those ribbons, think of how much better society would be without the
menace of drug addiction and substance abuse.