MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The Matthew C. Perry Schools here kicked off its Red Ribbon Week campaign Oct. 12 with volunteers speaking to kindergarten students about the benefits in living drug- and alcohol- free lives. Red Ribbon Week is observed the final week of October in schools throughout the U.S. to promote an alcohol-, drug- and violence-free life.
Red Ribbon Week originated in honor of Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” S. Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration narcotics agent and retired Marine. Camarena was kidnapped and killed by Mexican drug traffickers in 1985 just before he exposed a major drug organization. A friend of his started the Camarena Club in his hometown’s high school in Calexico, Calif. after Camarena’s body was discovered. Club members took oaths promising to remain drug free and wore red ribbons in memory of Camarena’s sacrifice. The club quickly began to spread all over California and then the U.S. In 1988, President Ronald Regan formalized Red Ribbon Week after he and his wife served as honorary chairpersons.
The schools here decided to start the campaign early by having volunteers read to the children. M.C. Perry Elementary, Middle and High School staff have planned activities until the end of October in support of the campaign and are looking for volunteers to speak to students. Volunteers can contact Susan Strasner, M.C. Perry Elementary School counselor, at 253- 4438 for more information.
“We want parents to know what a strong stand we are taking against drugs and alcohol,” said Strasner. “We are trying to get this information across to students at every level so that the students have a better understanding of what a drug looks like and for them to have a better understanding about the type of drugs that are out there.”
Strasner said it takes a community working together to take a stand against drug and alcohol abuse, and it’s important everyone in the community gets involved.
The school staff has scheduled plays, guest speakers and spirit days promoting ways to say no to drugs until the end of October. Station residents have also volunteered to read stories to the students about how to avoid drugs and alcohol.
“It’s like learning a foreign language,” said Strasner. “The younger you start with a kid learning a language, the easier it is for them to learn that foreign language. It’s the same with any type of message you are trying to get across to students.”
Several teachers have also planned separate activities teaching students the difference between prescription and illegal drugs.
“(The activities) are just little reminders to help our kids remember what an important week it is,” said Teena Livengood, a M.C. Perry Elementary school kindergarten teacher. “It’s an important week for teachers. We are concerned and care about our children. We care about their health and their safety.”
Livengood said the message has to be passed to children at an early age because they are easily influenced by others at that age.
Station volunteers visited Livengood’s class and read a story to her students teaching them about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. Several of the students readily absorbed the anti-drug message.
“You say no to drugs because drugs are bad for you,” said Ty Nickson, 6, a student in Livengood’s kindergarten class. “The one’s the doctors give you are okay.”
Nickson said he learned a lot and he appreciated the Marines.