RED RIBBON WEEK BEGINS

The 2005 celebration of National Red Ribbon Week is October 23-31,
2005. Communities and students across America are coming together to
commit themselves to live drug-free lives. It is very important to the
men and women of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to join
with others to support eh goals and dreams of our children and to
commemorate the ultimate sacrifice made by Special Agent Enrique
A"KikiA" Camarena on our behalf.

National Red Ribbon Week serves as a tribute to Special Agent Camarena
who was brutally tortured and murdered by drug traffickers in Mexico.
In honor of Camarena's memory and his battle against illegal drugs,
friends and neighbors began to wear red badges of satin. The National
Family Partnership organized the first Nationwide Red Ribbon Campaign
in 1988. Since that time, the campaign has reached millions of U.S.
children. Over 80 million Americans are expected to participate in Red
Ribbon events this year.

Moberly Public School students will be celebrating Red Ribbon Week
with various activities. Speakers from the Moberly Police Department,
the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Randolph County Ambulance
District and the Moberly Fire Department will be visiting schools to
speak to students. Students and staff will be wearing red ribbons or
wristbands throughout the week as they participate in a variety of
activities that will encourage them to live a drug-free life. Parents
will be receiving informative materials about preventing drug use. The
Moberly Middle School will be decorating bulletin boards in a Red
Ribbon theme and guidance counselors will be educating students on
making positive, informed choices that will help them reach their goals.

Francine Nichols, Social Services/Drug Free Coordinator for the
Moberly school district, urges everyone in the community to get
involved. Nichols says, A"Red Ribbon Week is the perfect time to have
a conversation with a child about making good choices. It's also a
time for adults to remember that children watch everything we do. If
you want your child to have a healthy lifestyle, you must live one
yourself.A" For more information about Red Ribbon Week or prevention
resources, visit http://www.drugfree.org or you may contact Francine Nichols
at 269-2670 ext. 1180.