National Red Ribbon Week: I’m Drug Free

  • Published
  • By Jeffery Hikes
  • Drug Demand Reduction Program Manager
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE La. --  Officials at Barksdale, home of Air Force Global Strike Command, celebrated National Red Ribbon Week Oct. 30 at the base Youth Center.

Col. Thomas Hesterman, 2nd Bomb Wing vice commander, Chief Master Sgt. Joe Ann Pace, 2nd Bomb Wing command chief, Scruff McGruff the crime dog and Sparky the fire dog lead a pledge to remain drug free with Barksdale's youth.

"Any opportunity that we can take to help steer our kids in the right direction to be drug free we need to take," said Col. Hesterman. "The message that was being sent this week gave us a great opportunity to help them stay on the right path and make better choices in their future."

The Red Ribbon Week Campaign runs each year from Oct. 23-31. "I'm Drug Free" was the campaign's national theme this year. It offered Airmen the unique opportunity to reinforce the "Say No to Drugs" message.

The event began in 1985 when drug traffickers in Mexico City murdered Enrique (Kiki) Camarena, a drug enforcement agent, who was close to uncovering the identities of key members of a Mexican drug cartel. Angered by his death and the destruction caused by drugs and alcohol, many citizens in Camarena's hometown, Calexico, Calif., began wearing red ribbons in his honor. This began the tradition of displaying and wearing the red ribbons as a symbol of intolerance towards drug and alcohol abuse.

Now, the observance has grown into a national annual event. The mission of RRW is to present a unified and visible commitment toward the creation of a drug free America. It is a voluntary drug awareness, prevention and education campaign. Many organizations offer a variety of programs to highlight the nation's commitment to fighting drug abuse through prevention and treatment efforts.

"Red Ribbon Week is an annual nationwide celebration that has become a major force for raising public awareness and mobilizing communities to combat alcohol, drug and tobacco use", said Charles L. Rice, Assistant Secretary of Defense Health Affairs. "The DoD has officially participated in this event since 1990 with the aim to reduce drug abuse among its members and their families."

He strongly encourages installations, commands, and units to participate in RRW activities this year.

Team Barksdale showed their support by attending the program and the wearing or displaying of red ribbons by joining the DoD and nation in showing support for the campaign.

Each year, the Red Ribbon Campaign has grown and now impacts millions of Americans. DoD has been in the forefront of the nation's efforts to combat illegal drugs and its use. Whether it is through drug testing or educational efforts within our own DoD communities, or voluntarily reaching out to others in the need of help, DoD has been steadfast in endeavors to confront this problem.

One of the most successful drug demand reduction efforts has been to elevate antidrug education during red ribbon week. It is imperative that DoD military personnel, civilians and their families remain drug free in order to maintain combat ready.