STUDENTS PLEDGE TO BE DRUG FREE FOR RED RIBBON CAMPAIGN

The end of October brings more than just trick-or-treating and a plethora
of brilliant fall colors to Fort Belvoir.

October 23-31 is also National Red Ribbon Week -- a time when everyone can
renew their commitment to living drug and alcohol free lives.

Garrison alcohol and drug control officer William Oglesby is using the last
full week of the month to encourage students at Fort Belvoir Elementary
School and Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School to steer clear of illegal
substances.

"Because this program focuses on young people in the community, this is the
time of year we can reach out to them," Oglesby said.

Both schools have received boxes of red ribbons and other items such as
button and badges that discourage the use of drugs from Oglesby, who was on
hand at Mount Vernon Woods Tuesday to watch students, teachers and staffers
sign a pledge to remain drug and alcohol free.

"I want to be drug free," said fifth-grader Erika Aguilar, 11, as she
signed her name to the large white sheet of paper decked out with red
ribbons that spans about half of the school's entrance hallway. "They can
harm you." Her classmate, Araly Velasquez, 11, agreed.

"It's bad for your health," she commented.

The pledge reads: "I promise to always say no to alcohol, cigarettes and
other harmful drugs and yes to a healthy mind and body."

National Red Ribbon Week serves as a tribute to Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, a
Drug Enforcement Agency special agent who was kidnapped, brutally tortured
and murdered by drug traffickers in Mexico in 1985. This year marks the
20th anniversary of Red Ribbon Week, which began shortly after Camarena's
death when residents of his hometown began to wear the ribbons to remember
him and to commemorate his sacrifice. Red Ribbon Week was formalized in 1988.

First-grader Lawrence Mensan, 6, is well aware of what could happen if he
should take illegal drugs.

"You might get caught," he said.

This year's Red Ribbon campaign also marks the kickoff of the Army-wide
Warrior Pride campaign, which is designed to reduce and deter drug and
alcohol abuse among Soldiers, according to Garrison Commander Col. Brian W.
Lauritzen.

"Red Ribbon Week also offers us the opportunity to serve our community by
presenting special educational opportunities about the dangers of alcohol
and other drug abuse," he noted in an Oct. 21 memo to Fort Belvoir personnel.

Mount Vernon Woods fourth grader Sweeney Apuiah, 10, has already received
that message.

"I don't think people should do drugs," she said. "They can kill you."