'RED RIBBON' ANTI-DRUG RALLY HELD AT STATE CAPITOL

There was snow cover in the eastern hills, it was 40 degrees in downtown
Hartford and the wind was blowing across Bushnell Park. The wind-chill
factor made it feel like 35, but the atmosphere was hot as students from
throughout the capital area congregated on the front steps of the State
Capitol to celebrate "Red Ribbon" Day on Oct. 23.

Kid Fresh from HOT 93.7, the local king of FM radio hip hop and R&B, was a
popular choice for master of ceremonies, introducing state officials,
students, and state leaders who brought the anti-drug message to the
assembly, which was adorned with red ribbons.

Lieutenant Governor Jodi Rell told the young people, "It is so great to see
so many of you here in the cold." She advised them, "Take your daily dose
of anti-drug by continuing your writing, dancing, jogging, or whatever it
is you do." She concluded her remarks with the thought, "Wear your red
ribbon with pride."

Red Ribbon observances began throughout the country in 1985 when drug lords
kidnapped, tortured and killed federal Drug Enforcement Administration
(DEA) agent Enrique Camarena.

Camarena grew up in a poor barrio in Mexico. When he was 9 years old, his
family moved to the United States. "Kiki" worked with the rest of his
family in the fields. As he picked peaches and plums, Kiki watched other
kids head for school, and he often wondered what it would be like to have a
seat on the bus or a seat in a real classroom.

Kiki finally got the chance to go to school, and he became a good student.
In high school, he played on the football and basketball teams. He worked
on the yearbook. He was even voted "Best All Around Senior."

When Kiki graduated from high school, he made a big decision. He saw that
his friends were headed for trouble, and Kiki could have followed them.
Instead, he worked his way through college and earned a degree in criminal
justice.

Kiki served in the Marine Corps. Then he became a fireman, and finally a
policeman! And when he saw many of his friends get into trouble because of
drugs, he joined the DEA.

Kiki knew something had to be done to stop drugs and to help the people he
cared about. Old friends turned against him. But Kiki kept on with his
fight against drugs.

He was sent to work undercover in Mexico where, for weeks, he lived among
the drug lords gathering information and evidence. The drugs lords
uncovered his cover, tortured and killed him.

To honor Kiki, his family and friends wore red ribbons. As his story spread
across the country, others began to wear ribbons, too. Now, every year,
millions of Americans celebrate Red Ribbon Week at the end of October to
remember Kiki and to take a stand - just as he did - against illegal drugs.

Kid Fresh told the youngsters that Kiki made a difference and added, "You
can make one too."

The Capital Area Substance Abuse Council (CASAC) organized the rally and
encouraged citizens to wear red ribbons and participate in activities to
demonstrate their stand against the abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Pat
Connors, executive director of CASAC said, "The Red Ribbon stands for the
commitment that must be made by everyone at the grass roots level if the
war against drugs is to be won."

CASAC is a community coalition composed of members from all segments of the
Hartford region. CASAC's mission is to develop and carry out strategies to
reduce substance abuse in the region through community mobilization.

The senate's Chief Deputy Majority Leader "Billy" Ciotto of Wethersfield,
who represents Newington, Rocky Hill & Wethersfield, followed the
lieutenant governor to the rostrum.

"You are our future leaders," he told the youngsters among the assembled
leaders. He applauded their dedication and their efforts. "I have five
grandchildren, and my greatest concern in they may get involved with
drugs," he said.

State Rep. Paul Doyle of Wethersfield issued brief but poignant remarks.

"Stay off drugs and tell your friends to stay off drugs," he said to
rousing cheers.

State Rep. Faith McMahon of Bloomfield, who represents that town and
Windsor, brought along a prop to make her point.

"Get a pet, not drugs," she exhorted while holding her pet dog "Seaweed"
for all to see. "A pet will keep your mind off other things, keep you
company, and love you," she added.

Shellby Crishal of Irving A. Robbins Middle School in Farmington was one of
several students to address the crowd, many of whom displayed anti-drug
posters made for the occasion. She told her contemporaries her formula: "By
keeping active, we find we do not have interest in drugs. We do not want
drugs to damage our bodies."

Rell read several proclamations from local leaders and Governor John
Rowland, mercifully omitting most of the "whereas" phrases in view of the
biting cold.

Connors thanked all in attendance, both for being present and for
advocating the anti-drug cause. His final remark was, "Seeing all of you
young people here with your message brings hope to all of us. Keep it up,
take care of each other, and make good choices."

Members of West Hartford's Northwest Catholic High School band, who had
huddled together for warmth throughout the ceremony, then played several
lively musical selections to a rapidly diminishing crowd that hurried back
to the warmth of their cars and buses.