RIBBONS SHOW ANTI-DRUGS STANCE

It's the oldest and largest drug-prevention program in the nation, a
colorful effort that brings together more than 80 million children and
adults in the last week of October to honor the memory of the slain
federal agent Enrique Camarena.

And even though the cornerstone of Red Ribbon Week - an intolerance
for drugs in schools, workplaces and communities - remains firmly in
place, over the past few years it has also come to embrace an overall
emphasis on healthy living.

It's a path that Whittier-area community leaders say they are more
than happy to follow.

"In general, there has been a trend toward a more healthy lifestyle,"
said Greg Alaniz, community services supervisor for the city of Whittier.

Alaniz also works with the nonprofit SKILLS Foundation, which
organizes the annual Red Ribbon Week Pancake Breakfast and Community
Rally that took place Saturday at East Whittier Middle School.

The event not only gave a brief history of Red Ribbon Week, but also
brought together a plethora of community agencies and resources on
physical health and mental health for children, adults and families.

But, Alaniz said, the event still has a "big focus on anti-drugs and
getting that message out to the youths.

"We've been preaching this for the last few weeks to our students, and
we will continue to do so," he said. "But we're also very proactive in
regard to healthy eating and exercise."

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Red Ribbon Week
was inspired by Camarena, a Mexican native and DEA agent tasked with
busting Mexico's biggest marijuana and cocaine traffickers.

He came extremely close to unlocking a multibillion-dollar drug
pipeline, but was kidnapped and tortured to death in 1985.

Later that year, "Camarena's Clubs" popped up in his hometown of
Calexico, where members wore red ribbons and pledged to lead drug-free
lives.

That movement spread throughout California, Illinois and Virginia in
1995 and led to Red Ribbon Week in late October, which was formalized
in 1988 with the late President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy
Reagan as honorary chairpersons.

"DEA will continue doing all we can to take drug traffickers out of
our communities," DEA Acting Administrator Michele M. Leonhart said
earlier this month. "And we are so proud when we see millions of young
people across America join us in taking a stand against drugs."

In Whittier, local school officials say the anti-drug campaign also
serves as a kickoff for the ongoing efforts to educate children.

"Whether it's to help kids make appropriate choices on the things they
put on their body or to stay away from drugs, that's the work we do
during the entire course of the year," said Elyse Sullivan, assistant
superintendent of the 6,600-student Whittier City School District.

At Longfellow Elementary, students are attending an assembly today
with Whittier police officers, who will talk about the history of Red
Ribbon Week and the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

On Friday, Phelan Elementary School will wrap up its activities with a
"Say Boo To Drugs" costume parade in honor of Red Ribbon Week and
Halloween, officials said.

"So they're linking Halloween to the `say no to drugs' message' for
their kids," Sullivan said.

"It's a good way to get the kids motivated and clear on what the
topics are," she added. "And then we have a regular curriculum that
goes along with it over the year as well."