SCHOOLS MARKING ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN WITH RALLIES, MARCHES

Several local schools are joining national groups this week in
organizing events aimed at raising awareness of alcohol and drug abuse.

St. Croix's St. Mary's Catholic School kicked off the local Red Ribbon
Week campaign with a march and rally Tuesday in downtown
Christiansted. Other schools territorywide have scheduled Red Ribbon
activities - essay and poster contests and ribbon distributions - that
will run through Sunday.

Anthony Mills, the Education Department's public relations officer,
urged residents to contact schools for more information about events
in their areas.

The University of the Virgin Islands also joined the campaign this
week, sponsoring pledge days, wear-red days, door decorating contests
and a skit contest, all with anti-drug themes.

The National Family Partnership organized the first nationwide Red
Ribbon campaign in 1988. Since then, it has reached millions of
children in the United States. The campaign pays tribute to U.S. Drug
Enforcement Agency agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, who was murdered by
a drug cartel in Mexico in 1985. Organizers say they believe
Camarena's accomplishments prove that one person can make a
difference, so they adopted the red ribbon to symbolize his legacy.

Denise Lewis, co-organizer of Red Ribbon activities through the Weed
and Seed program on St. Croix, said the campaign is one of several
local school- and community-based activities that are warning young
people about the dangers of drug use.

In honor of Red Ribbon Week, the Law Enforcement Planning Commission
will conduct health screenings on St. Thomas. Screenings will be held
from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and Thursday at Kirwan Terrace Elementary
School. Also, Iggies Beach Bar and Grill will play host to a 7 p.m.
karaoke contest Thursday.

Other commission activities include the Say Boo to Drugs Day rally
from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday in Bovoni housing community and Family
Day at 11 a.m. Friday at Magens Bay.