PACIFIC BASES HOLD 'RED RIBBON WEEK' TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF DRUG ABUSE

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan - Pacific base residents can show their
support for efforts to combat drug and alcohol abuse by tying on a red
ribbon this week.

The Defense Department observes national "Red Ribbon Week" Oct. 23 to
Oct. 31 through various anti-drug educational activities at military
bases worldwide.

"This year's national theme is 'I have the power,'" said Sherril
Light, manager of the base's Drug Demand Reduction Program. "It's, 'I
have the power to say no.'"

The history of Red Ribbon Week dates to 1985, when Special Agent
Enrique S. "Kiki" Camarena of the Drug Enforcement Administration was
kidnapped in Guadalajara, Mexico, and killed by drug traffickers,
according to a DOD news release. In response to his death, communities
across the country began wearing red ribbons as a symbol of their
commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction caused by
drugs in America, Light said, noting that alcohol continues to be the
number one drug problem among youth.

The red ribbon campaign "targets youth to pledge to be drug-free, to
be able to stand up to peer pressure," she said.

During the week, people can tie a red ribbon on their car antenna to
show "they promote a drug-free community," Light said.

At Misawa Air Base, students in the Drug Education For Youth program,
or DEFY, helped kick off the campaign Saturday by distributing red
ribbons and souvenirs with anti-drug slogans, such as "Thumbs Down on
Drugs!" DEFY is a year-long educational program for 9- to
12-year-olds, beginning in June with an eight-day non-residential
camp. Light, who's also the DEFY program coordinator, said DEFY and
the red ribbon campaign target youth before they enter high school, as
some kids today experiment with drugs as early as 10 to 12. According
to 2003 data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration, the median age at which children begin drinking is
15.7 years. Youth who drink before age 15 are four times more likely
to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking at age 21,
according to research from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and
Alcoholism research.

Nationally, the top drugs of choice among youth are alcohol and
cigarettes, Light said. Both are readily available off base, she said:
"You can walk across the street and buy a beer from a vending machine."

Other drugs kids experiment with include inhalants -- such as aerosols
and cleaning solvents, marijuana, and 'Bron' cough syrup, Light said.

"Parents don't want to be snoopy, but they need to be," she
said.

Light and DEFY students will be at the base exchange from 10 a.m. to 2
p.m. Saturday handing out anti-drug educational materials. For more
information about Red Ribbon Week or to become a DEFY volunteer adult
youth mentor, call Light at DSN 226-6023, or stop by her office in
Building 1025.

Signs to look for

This week, Sherril Light, manager of the base's Drug Demand Reduction
Program, is emphasizing educating parents at Misawa about signs that
may indicate their children are using alcohol or other drugs. Among
such signs, she cited:

* Increased accidents * Lateness or absenteeism from school *
Declining grades * Withdrawal from family * Loss of interest in
activities and appearance * Increased use of mouthwash and/or breath
mints * Alcohol or other drug odor in room or on clothing * Use of eye
drops * Presence of drug "paraphernalia"