A RIBBON WORTH WEARING

Drugs have become a scourge on modern society creeping into our
backyards and homes.

The only way we can fight the war on drugs is to arm ourselves with
information. No longer can we close our eyes, blinded to the problems.
It is time that we as educators, parents and friends talk to those we
feel might be suffering from those addictions bent on destroying our
lives.

Drugs are deadly, bad for your health and illegal.

This past year "Yellow" ribbons have been posted everywhere from
business windows to cars showing our support of our local heroes. This
month is marked as Breast Cancer Awareness Month identified by "Pink"
ribbons. Now as National Red Ribbon week sets in this week, October 23
- -31, 2004, we should all sport our "Red" ribbons proudly as a soldier
in the war on drugs.

The vibrant red ribbon wears like a badge of honor that we are drug
free and proud of it. Beginning in 1985 with the death of a DEA agent,
Kiki Camarena, the week itself is a week that way that allows
communities to take a visible stand against drugs and show their
commitment to a drug-free lifestyle.

Illicit drug usage kills millions of people, including children, every
year. Every person who sports their red ribbon is one more piece of
ammunition against drug usage and manpower is the most valuable thing
in this difficult fight.

There are no secrets when it comes to drug usage. It kills people. It
tears apart families, it destroys friendships and it burns bridges.
Only with education and the courage to say, "NO," can we ever hope to
win this deadly war. There is good news though; less than two months
ago the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
announced through a press release a five percent decline in the number
of American youth between the ages of 12 and 17 who have ever used
marijuana.

Education works, please pass the information along. For more
information concerning drug abuse please visit the Office of National
Drug Control Policy at http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/

Remember, the nation may only have red ribbon week but it's important
to be drug free for a lifetime. It be the difference between life and
death.