RED RIBBON WEEK TO CELEBRATE ANTI-DRUG EFFORTS

Highland Falls -- Enrique "Kiki" Camerena gave his life to keep drugs
out of the United States.

Twenty years ago, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration
agent was kidnapped, tortured and killed in Mexico at the hands of
drug traffickers. This was done in retaliation for a successful attack
that he led on one of Mexico's most notorious drug
traffickers.

To memorialize his life, Red Ribbon, a national drug awareness
campaign, was formed by National Family Partnership as a way for
people to take a visual stand against drugs.

Red ribbons became a symbol to parents and youth in communities across
the country who were enraged by all the killing and destruction caused
by drugs. The ribbons are a symbol of the commitment to raising
awareness of drugs and promoting healthy, drug-free lifestyles.

Red Ribbon is celebrated each year by school-age youth. Red ribbons
are worn throughout communities across America each year from Oct.
23-31, National Red Ribbon Week.

In 1989, the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Council of Orange County
brought Red Ribbon to Orange County. The mission, said Ruth Bowles,
Orange County Red Ribbon Committee chairperson and community
prevention coordinator for the county's Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
Council, was to promote healthier lifestyles and to enhance community
awareness about the impact of alcohol and other drugs. "Enrique
Camerena gave his life to keep drugs out of the United States," Bowles
said. "This effort to bring attention to the problems of drug abuse in
our society is in Enrique's memory, so that he did not die in vain."

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Camerena's
death.

At 10 a.m. Monday, Highland Falls Middle School will host the 2005 Red
Ribbon Kick-off Ceremony, themed "The Red Badge of Courage." The
celebration will be attended by school administrators, teachers,
students, Orange County legislators and members of law
enforcement.

At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29, Highland Falls Middle School will host the third
annual Red Ribbon Rising Star Talent Show, showcasing the talents of
Orange County students ages 10-18. The event is free and the public is
invited. The first Red Ribbon celebration was held in Orange County in
1990, with several schools and community groups involved. Communities
decorated streets, schools decorated halls, and students decorated
themselves by wearing red.

"Our first year with Red Ribbon was a huge success," said James
Conklin, executive director of the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Council.
"We distributed hundreds of ribbons, and activities and events were
held all over the county."

Ruth Bowles has chaired the Red Ribbon Committee for the last four
years.

"Currently at the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council, we distribute
thousands of ribbons," she said, "and our Orange County Red Ribbon
Kick-off Ceremony is attended by hundreds of students, local
politicians and community members."

During Red Ribbon Week, there will be a banner and ribbons hung on the
county building. Schools will also participate in individual Red
Ribbon events.

"The impact of substance abuse prevention initiatives, such as the
National Red Ribbon Campaign, provides youth in our communities an
opportunity to take a visible stand against illicit drug use and to
show their personal commitment to a drug-free lifestyle," Bowles said.
"When our youth play a part in Red Ribbon events, such as the talent
show and the kick-off ceremony, they are given an opportunity to be
involved in making a real contribution to their school and community.
The youth in turn feel valued for their efforts and their
accomplishments."

For more information about the Red Ribbon campaign, visit the National
Family Partnerships Web site at www.nfp.org. For information about
local Red Ribbon events, call Ruth Bowles at 294-9000.