POMONA SCHOOLS, POLICE LEAD RED RIBBON WEEK EVENTS

POMONA -- The city's public schools and the Police Department are leading a
joint celebration today of Red Ribbon Week, an annual national campaign to
discourage drug use.

The celebration starts at 9 a.m. at the Pomona Civic Center plaza at Garey
Avenue and Mission Boulevard.

Scheduled performers include the Pomona High School Junior ROTC, which will
present the colors. Pomona High School cheerleaders will lead anti-drug
chants. Diamond Ranch High School peer counselors will perform anti-drug
themed skits. Elementary school musicians also will perform.

The Police Department's mounted unit, officers from the Stop Trouble From
Occurring in Pomona and Capt. Jim Harding, who is filling in as police
chief until Ronald Lowenberg takes over as interim chief, will attend,
along with Pomona City Council members and Mayor Eddie Cortez.

Red ribbons will be distributed to attendees. Wearing of red ribbons began
in 1985 to commemorate federal Drug Enforcement Administration Agent
Enrique Camarena, who was killed by drug traffickers in Mexico.

The school district will present a tree to the city to be planted at the
close of the celebration.

A candlelight memorial at San Bernardino Valley College will be 6-7:30 p.m.
today to remember those whose deaths were linked to drugs or alcohol. The
vigil will take place in front of the school's administration building, 701
S. Vernon Ave., San Bernardino.

Schools throughout the Inland Valley have their own Red Ribbon Week
celebrations planned, ranging from anti-drug poster contests to school rallies.