THS STUDENTS ASSEMBLE FOR RED RIBBON WEEK

Tehachapi High School students assembled in the THS gym on Oct. 27 to
recognize Red Ribbon Week and participate in an anti-drug assembly
presented by local law enforcement officials.

Kern County Sheriff's Department Senior Deputies John Money and Kevin
Zimmerman worked together to kick off the assembly, raising cheers
from the students who filled the bleachers.

"I thought the assembly went very well. The students were well behaved
and enthusiastic," Money said. "It's important to remind people of the
dangers of drugs."

Money told students the story behind Red Ribbon Week and the symbol
which epitomizes the anti-drug campaign.

According to the Red Ribbon Web site, the wearing of red ribbons was
adopted after Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, a member of the United States
Drug Enforcement Agency, was tortured and killed by drug traffickers
in Mexico City in the line of duty in 1985. Camarena's belief, that
even one person can make a difference in the war on drugs, became the
model for the campaign and Camarena's family and friends began wearing
red satin ribbons in his memory. Soon after, coalitions of parents
adopted the symbol as well.

In 1988, the National Family Partnership organized the first
nationwide red ribbon campaign. Since then, the campaign has reached
millions of children in the nation in an effort to protect them from
the dangers of alcohol and other drugs.

According to Money, the problem drugs in Tehachapi are marijuana,
methamphetamines, inhalants and ecstacy. He briefly outlined the
damage they can cause before the assembly was turned over to the
students, who participated in related games and activities.

Red Ribbon Week is acknowledged by individuals, businesses, schools
and community organizations across the country each year from Oct. 23
to Oct. 31. The ribbons serve as visual reminders of a commitment to a
drug-free lifestyle.