DOES RED RIBBON WEEK MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

REDLANDS - Students throughoutthe Redlands Unified School District
are wearing red, having assemblies and being educated on the dangers
of drugs and alcohol to celebrate Red Ribbon Week from Oct. 20 to Oct. 31.

Ileana Reyes, director of sales and marketing for Informed Families,
said the event definitely makes a difference when kids are making
choices about whether they will use drugs.

"After 23 years, it is still an ideal way for people and communities
to unite and take a visible stand against drugs," Reyes said. "(They)
show their personal commitment to a drug-free lifestyle through the
symbol of the red ribbon."

She said Red Ribbon Week was developed in memory of the torture and
death of Kiki Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration agent, in
Mexico in 1985. Camarena went through college, served in the Marines
and became a police officer, Reyes said.

"When he decided to join the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration,
his mother tried to talk him out of it," Reyes said. "'I'm only one
person,' he told her, 'but I want to make a difference."'

Camarena was sent to work undercover in Mexico by the DEA to
investigate a major drug cartel that was believed to include officers
in the Mexican army, police and government, Reyes said.

"On Feb. 7, 1985, the 37-year-old Camarena left his office to meet
his wife for lunch," Reyes said. "Five men appeared at the agent's
side and shoved him in a car. One month later, Camarena's body was
found. He had been tortured to death."

Reyes said that in honor of his memory and his fight against illegal
drugs, his friends and some neighbors began wearing red satin badges.

"Parents, sick of the destruction of alcohol and other drugs, had
begun forming coalitions," Reyes said. "The National Family
Partnership organized the first Nationwide Red Ribbon Campaign."

The campaign has reached millions of children and families in the
United States since then, Reyes said.

"The National Family Partnership and its network of individuals and
organizations continue to deliver his message of hope to millions of
people every year, through the National Red Ribbon Campaign," Reyes said.

She said people should support the national theme, which this year is
"Step It Up: A Call to Action."

"A theme unifies each year's campaign to broadcast one message
creating a tipping point to change behavior," Reyes said.

People throughout Redlands were asked what Red Ribbon Week means to
them, and if they believe it is making a difference.

Louisa Kay, 44, Yucaipa

"It's just awareness against drugs, and for children to be aware of
the dangers of drugs. I think so. To a certain percentage, they'll
remember the events at school."

Sheena Alves, 20, Redlands

"I think it's a traditional method to keep kids off drugs and be
excited about being drug free and educate them on what drugs do. My
niece is in Kingsbury (Elementary School) and she's all happy. Every
day she comes home and is all excited about it. It teaches them early
what drugs do. They get real excited about it real young."

Sherry Considine, 45, Yucaipa

"Educating children about the hazards of drugs. It was effective with
my own children. It gave them knowledge on the negative effects of drugs."

Andrue Ramirez, 21, Redlands

"No. I guess it's not out there enough. (I went to) Redlands High School."

When asked if he remembered the event in school, he said, "Not that I
can remember." When asked if it was effective, he said, "In some
cases, yes. But I think we need more after school programs to keep
kids busy and away from the bad crowd."

Jessica Whiteside, 22, San Bernardino

"Yeah, because they teach about the bad things about drugs. I guess
not because I wouldn't have done them anyway."

Danica Allison, 27, Riverside

"It is a promotion of a drug-free environment and it makes learning
about staying drug free fun for kids. I think it's encouraging and
sets a good example."

Ligia Marinel, 24, Loma Linda

"I remember just pledging to be drug free. I remember the DARE (Drug
Abuse Resistance Education) program. I remember an officer coming out
and riding in the police car. It was exciting because we weren't in
trouble. Back then, I don't think a lot of people were really into
drugs. I think it pertains much to the youth these days. I know a lot
of people were exposed to it, but you just hear a lot more about it
these days. You hear a lot about kids who don't have a lot of other
opportunities. It's a curiosity thing when it's in the house. You try
it and you get yourself in trouble. I think it's important to expose
the young to other possibilities who might not know better."

Amanda Mauk, 20, Redlands

"Drug free is the way to be. Nowadays I wouldn't know. When I went to
school it probably would. The kids are bad these days. There's a lot
of drugs out there."

Raquel Genera, 20, San Bernardino

"Drug free. No, not at all. Maybe to little kids. Just because of the
way life is these days. Media and bad parents. No one ever listens to
their parents."

Erica Brown, 25, Redlands

"(It is) a time for the community to express its concern regarding a
drug free environment. I think it was by community according to
parent involvement. The public schools can do the Red Ribbon Week,
but unless it's being reinforced at home, that's when I think it
varies according to each community."