RED RIBBON WEEK

Making the Pledge

by Stephanie Thompson

Manatee Glens, the area’s oldest provider of drug- and alcohol-abuse treatment and prevention programs, asks young people and their parents to take an anti-drug pledge in observance of national Red Ribbon Week, which runs from October 23 through 31.

When the words “Red Ribbon” are mentioned, many think of HIV/AIDS awareness. However, the Red Ribbon campaign for drug awareness began in 1988 as a result of activities by honorary chairperson Nancy Reagan and many school children. The U.S. Congress responded by establishing the last full week of October each year as Red Ribbon Week.

Red Ribbon Week commemorates the brave actions of Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration officer who was murdered for trying to keep drugs off our streets and away from our children and loved ones. He had been working undercover to expose a major drug cartel. On February 7, 1985, five men kidnapped him as he left his office. They tortured and murdered this heroic officer, but he had made gains in his fight against drugs.

Red Ribbon Week reminds us that even one person can make a difference. All across America during the last week of October, children and adults wear Red Ribbons to remind people of the drug problem that we face daily, and of the type of future--or lack of one-- our children will encounter if we stop fighting this epidemic.

Manatee Glens conducts awareness and prevention programs in the schools throughout the year, such as our 12-week program, “Too Good for Drugs.” In addition, during Red Ribbon Week we collaborate with schools to plan a variety of activities such as creating posters and decorating rooms with anti-drug slogans and banners. Each school also chooses its own unique way to recognize this week. The week will be filled with colorful goings-on.

Still, we are not doing enough. Last weekend, I was alarmed to hear from some parents that they had not yet started talking about drugs with their 9-, 10- and 11-year-old children. It never crossed their minds to discuss drugs with them. at this age. But this is the perfect age to start--if not sooner.

We have developed a simple pledge that even kindergarten children can learn:

We, the students of (Name of school)  pledge to keep our bodies, minds and lives healthy by staying away from alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

Signed________________________

Each child who makes this pledge receives a copy on a ribbon, to sign and wear as a show of commitment.

We present an anti-drug message in the schools, but we need parents to support and reinforce our message. We ask each of you to make your own pledge. Pledge to help us educate our children on the dangers of drugs.  Make your pledge in honor of Enrique “Kiki” Camarena and remember why he died. Remember that he fought a battle that we need to keep fighting.

The war against drugs may be a never-ending battle, but our children are the future. Make the pledge to never stop fighting for their future. Aren’t they worth it?