Edwards to launch Red Ribbon Week with 3K Walk/Run

  • Published
  • By Jon S. Fishman
  • Edwards Certified Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist, Drug Demand Reduction
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  For one week each October, our nation commemorates the personal sacrifice made by U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena in the war against illicit drugs.

A former Marine, Mr. Camarena became a police officer prior to joining the DEA, because he wanted to make a difference in people's lives.

While investigating a major drug cartel, Agent Camarena was kidnapped and subsequently tortured to death in 1985. As public outrage over his murder began to grow, Congressman Duncan Hunter initiated a coalition of community organizations that pledged to lead drug-free lives.

This coalition to honor Kiki Camarena and others who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect all Americans against the dangers of illicit drugs has grown into a national event known as Red Ribbon Week.

The first National Red Ribbon Week was held in 1988 and has now become the nation's largest and longest running anti-drug campaign.

As people across our nation commemorate Kiki's sacrifice, the Edwards Drug Demand Reduction Program, in support of the Federal Drug-Free Work Place Act and Drug-Free Communities, asks all personnel and their families both military and civilian, to dedicate themselves to living and promoting a drug-free life.

The primary means of reducing drug demand is through prevention, which includes information dissemination and education programs.

Each year Red Ribbon introduces a new slogan to draw attention to this necessary and vital effort; this year's slogan is "I am Drug Free".

This year, Red Ribbon Week runs Oct. 23 through 31, with a number of activities planned to draw attention to this noble and necessary cause.

We will officially kick off Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 22, with a 3K Run/Walk, which will start at the Rosburg Fitness Center at 7 a.m.

There will also be a number of booths with drug abuse prevention and health and wellness information.

Please come and join the 95th Medical Group in our efforts to create a drug-free Edwards.

Remember, our most important weapon system in the Air Force is our people. In order to keep our population healthy, happy and productive, we need to keep all members of the Air Force community, both active duty and civilian, drug free.