Published: October 14, 2008 08:59 am      

Red Ribbon Week highlights drug abuse awareness

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Area students will be painting the downtown red to remind others about staying drug-free during Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 23 through 31.

School activities have been planned throughout the area, and the Mission Possible Coalition, which coordinates activities and a Red Ribbon Festival, is spearheading the Paint Downtown Red event to get families and businesses involved in the fight against drugs.

From 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Oct. 24, fourth and fifth grade students will be painting the courthouse sidewalk red, and downtown businesses are asked to decorate with red ribbons and the color red as well.

The red ribbon became the symbol of staying drug and alcohol free and its education in 1985, after the death of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. Camerena was working undercover in Mexico when he was caught, tortured and murdered by drug traffickers. The Illinois Drug Education Alliance, along with the Virginia Federation of Parents, organized the first Red Ribbon campaign to recognize the slain officer’s fight. Since that time, the red ribbon has become a symbol for zero tolerance of illegal drug use and a commitment to a drug free lifestyle.

“Children do listen to parents and authority figures that repeat the message to be drug and alcohol free,” Mission Possible Coalition Executive Director Robin Dodd said.

The Red Ribbon Festival, which is free to the public, will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Rolland Lewis Community Building at Veterans Park.

Parents and children will be able to participate in games, beading, raffles, basketball, a cake walk and refreshments of hot dogs, chips, cookies and drinks.

Additional information about Red Ribbon Week and associated activities is available by contacting Dodd at 204-5075.