CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE –
"Drug free is the key" is the 2009 Red Ribbon Week campaign set for Oct. 23 to 31.
Red Ribbon Week is the nation's oldest and largest drug prevention program, reaching millions of Americans every year during the last week of October. The Department of Defense has officially participated in this event to raise public awareness and mobilize communities to combat tobacco, alcohol and drug use among military personnel, civilians and their families.
The National Family Partnership, formerly known as the National Federation of Parents for Drug Free Youth says the "The Red Ribbon Campaign is an opportunity to send a consistent 'Anti-Drug' message to young people."
Each year the DoD and the military services sponsor Red Ribbon Week activities to focus attention on the destructive effects drugs have on America. To celebrate the DoD's efforts to keep Americans drug-free, the Pentagon will host an awards ceremony Oct. 23 in the Pentagon Hall of Heroes.
"In order to maintain combat readiness, it is imperative that DoD military personnel, civilians and their families remain drug free," said Dr. S. Ward Casscells, M.D., the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs in a March Red Ribbon Week activities memo. "One of our most successful drug demand reduction efforts has been to elevate anti-drug education during the national Red Ribbon Week. In order to raise public awareness of the Department's commitment to a drug-free military community, I strongly encourage installations, command and units to participate in Red Ribbon Week activities this year."
Team Charleston will be participating in this year's campaign.
The 437th Security Forces Squadron's military working dog kennels will be conducting a drug search demonstration with the drug dogs at Hunley Park Elementary Oct. 27 and at Lambs Elementary Oct. 29.
"The Drug Demand Reduction Program is designed to deter as well as prevent illegal drug use," said Master Sgt. Selwyn Stephens, the 437th Airlift Wing's Drug Demand Reduction Program manager. "We have the added responsibility of conducting outreach and prevention activities, and the Red Ribbon Campaign is one of the ways we do this."
The National Family Partnership encourages parents to play a significant role in their child's life and take their pledge to prevent children's substance abuse:
PLEDGE
To Prevent Children's Substance Abuse
1. As parents, we will talk to our children about the dangers of drug abuse.
2. We will set clear rules for our children about not using drugs.
3. We will set a good example for our children by not using illegal drugs or medicine
without a prescription.
4. We will monitor our children's behavior and enforce appropriate consequences, so that our rules are respected.
5. We will encourage family and friends to follow the same guidelines to keep children safe from substance abuse.
I pledge to set guidelines to help children grow up safe, healthy and drug-free.
TRICARE Public Affairs contributed to this article.