RED RIBBON WEEK COMING SOON

This year marks the 16th annual celebration of Red Ribbon Week (Oct.
23-31). Over 100,000 schools and organizations across the U.S. will
use this special time to spread the important message about living a
drug and alcohol-free lifestyle. In Navarro County Viable Options In
Community Endeavors (V.O.I.C.E.) Inc., will be visiting several area
in celebration of Red Ribbon Week.

Red Ribbon Week was inspired by the life and work of Drug Enforcement
Agency (DEA) Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena. Camerana yearned
to make a difference from a very early age. After earning a college
degree in criminal justice and serving as both a U.S. Marine and
police officer, Camarena joined the DEA so he could help fight illegal
drugs.

In 1985, while working undercover in Mexico, Camarena was kidnapped
and killed by drug traffickers. Camarena, then 37 years-old, was
survived by his wife and their three children.

Responding to his murder and the horrific effects of drugs on our
society, citizens in Camarena's hometown of Celexico, California began
wearing red ribbons. The trend took hold throughout the country, and
in 1988 Congress officially proclaimed the last week of October as Red
Ribbon Week.

Now, every October, American children, parents, and educators unite to
take a stand for a drug-free land.

Red Ribbon Week in Navarro County

Viable Options in Community Endeavors (V.O.I.C.E. Inc.,) will be
marking Red Ribbon Week this year by making Tobacco Presentations at
the following schools: Kerens Elementary, Kerens High School, Blooming
Grove Elementary, Rice Middle, Rice Elementary, Bowie Elementary,
Carroll Early Childhood, Frost Elementary, YMCA after school program,
and Mildred Middle School.

V.O.I.C.E. makes over 300 presentations throughout each year to
students in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. Presentations include
Tobacco Prevention, Alcohol Prevention, Underage Drinking Prevention,
and Drug Prevention. Students are given age-appropriate information to
help them to make wise and healthy choices.

The presentations include discussions, videos, worksheets, and prizes
for the students.

For more info

Visit the VOICE website at www.voiceinc.org, the website describes in
more detail the programs and has a schedule of when VOICE will be
visiting area schools. For more info on Red Ribbon Week visit www.redribbonweek.com.