MAKE A DIFFERENCE

One Person Really Can Make A Difference

Even those who are familiar with Red Ribbon Week as a campaign in
our public schools against drug and alcohol use, might not be aware
of the history of the campaign, which is being observed this week.

It honors the memory of a Drug Enforcement Administration agent,
Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, who was tortured to death while working
undercover, investigating a major drug cartel in Mexico. He
had been kidnapped by a group of men while on his way to meet his
wife for lunch.

His mother had tried to talk him out of joining the DEA, because of
the danger. But the former Marine and police officer, who had grown
up in poverty, told his mother that there was no way he could
refuse. Even though he was only one person, he believed one
person could make a difference.

Many of those whose lives are endangered by illegal substances
aren't undercover narcotics agents who die at the hand of drug
cartel assassins. They're minors who consume alcohol, many of whom
die at the hand of a friend - friends who give them alcohol and
friends who drink and drive.

The friends who provided 19-year-old Nik Gallegos, an SFA freshman
who died last month after drinking too much at a party, are now
facing criminal charges. Even if they were to be dropped or they
never spend a day in jail, it's likely that thoughts of what
happened that night will torture them the rest of their days.

Although SFA officials say Gallegos' death was the first such
occurrence for the college, it's likely that Gallegos isn't the
first student to suffer from alcohol poisoning. We don't have the
statistics on those who have come close.

Alcohol is a drug, and in the possession of a minor, an illegal
substance, although far too often, it isn't considered as such.
Alcohol continues to be the most widely used substance among Texas
students, according to a survey of 78 Texas school districts by the
Department of State Health Services. Binge drinking, which was
defined as having five or more drinks on one occasion, was reported
by 23 percent; 24 percent of high school seniors said they had
driven a car after having a "good bit" to drink; and 10 percent had
gone to class drunk.

One of the more telling statistics is the effect that parental
approval had on drinking. Only 19 percent of students who said their
parents disapproved reported past-month drinking, compared to 50
percent of those who said their parents approved.

That proves that what Camarena believed, that one person can make a
difference, is true.

Be a friend. Be a parent. Be the one who makes a difference.