DENISON OFFICER MARKS RED RIBBON WEEK

Red Ribbon Week has a new and special meaning for one family in Denison.
Former Denison Police Officer Brian Epps left the local department recently
after serving nine years on the force. He has entered the U.S. Drug
Enforcement Agency's academy in Quantico, Va.

His daughter, a student at Hyde Park Elementary in Denison, is
participating with other classmates in the fight against drugs, represented
by Red Ribbon Week, which runs through Halloween.

The movement is modeled after DEA Agent Enrique (Kiki) Camarena, who grew
up in a dirt-floored house with hopes and dreams of making a difference. He
worked his way through college, served in the Marines and became a police
officer. His mother tried to talk him out of joining the DEA.

"I can't not do this," he told her. "I'm only one person, but I want to
make a difference."

DEA sent Camarena to work undercover in Mexico investigating a major drug
cartel. On Feb. 7, 1985, the 37-year-old Camarena left his office to meet
his wife for lunch. Five men appeared at his side and shoved him in a car.
One month later, Camarena's body was found in a shallow grave.

In honor of Camarena's memory and his battle against illegal drugs, friends
and neighbors wore red badges made from satin. From that, coalitions sprang
up, adopting Camarena's belief that one person can make a difference.

In 1997, the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse began committing
resources to the furtherance of Red Ribbon Week, as well as the hopes and
beliefs behind this grassroots effort to protect children from the dangers
of alcohol and other drugs.

The red ribbon worn is a personal commitment and visible stand against drugs.

At Hyde Park Elementary, students will be met daily at school with a red
ribbon drug-free banner and will have a variety of ways to show their
commitment to staying drug free, while learning the history of Red Ribbon
Week. Each ribbon issued has a number on it, and those numbers will be
randomly drawn for prizes.

The catch is, the student has to be wearing the ribbon to get the prize.

Epps' young daughter hands people a red ribbon with a reminder to pray for
the DEA men and women, her grandmother said.