This is when communities throughout the United States, unite and take a visible stand against drugsand show their commitment to a drug-free lifestyle.
It began when Kiki Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration Officer who was working undercover in Mexico to investigate a drug cartel, was kidnapped by the cartel in 1985 and found a month later tortured to death. To honor his memory friends and family started wearing red ribbons. And as communities and schools started taking on the fight against drugs, they adopted Kiki Camarena as their model and the red ribbon as their symbol.
Did you know that less than halfof our 7th, 9th and 11th graders believe that marijuana is harmful? And yet, according to the National Institute for Drug Abuse 17% of youth who begin to use marijuana recreationally before the age of 18 become addicted? That using marijuana stunts the growth of their brains causing them to have problems with controlling impulses, problem solving, memory issues, loss of brain processing speed, and the ability to multitask and plan ahead?
Rio Vista ATOD Alliance participates in Red Ribbon Week to bringing awareness to our youth of the harm that alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs can have on their mind and body. We share with them that there are safer and healthier choices to be made. While traditionally we would be in our schools sharing with the students, our plan this year is to celebrate Red Ribbon Week twice, now with the community and hopefully with the students when they return to a classroom setting.
Please join us as we celebrate Red Ribbon Week by wearing red on Friday, October 30th and placing red ribbons in your windows at home, in your business or even on your car.
If you have questions or comments please contact Toni Tucker, ATOD Prevention Coordinator, at 707-631-8824 or riovistaalliance@gmail.com.