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Thursday, 22 October 2009 |
By KATIE MARTIRE
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Over 7,000 red ribbons have been provided to Northwest Oklahoma youth by the Northwest Center for Behavioral Health Area Prevention Resource Center in order to celebrate Red Ribbon Week, October 23-31. Thirty-seven schools in Cimarron, Texas, Beaver, Harper, Woods, Woodward and Ellis counties were provided with the symbolic red ribbons.
After DEA Agent KiKi Camarena was murdered by drug traffickers in 1985, the Red Ribbon Campaign began. This began the continuing of displaying Red Ribbons as a symbol against the use of drugs. The mission of the Red Ribbon Campaign is to present a unified and visible commitment towards the creation of a Drug-Free America. Millions of children have been reached through this campaign.
According to a press release by the Northwest Center for Behavioral Center, the 2008 Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment showed that 31.7 percent of sixth graders in the seven counties previously mentioned had already drunk more than a few sips of alcohol, as well as 55.6 percent of eighth graders, 73.3 percent of tenth graders and 79.7 percent of twelfth graders. The same survey also showed that three percent of sixth graders, 12.2 percent of eighth graders, 22.7 percent of tenth graders and 27.2 percent of twelfth graders had also used marijuana.
Red Ribbon Week is a preventative and informative way for schools, individuals and communities to come together and take a visible stand against substance abuse by wearing the red ribbon symbol.
Talk to children about tobacco, drugs or alcohol and the dangers of using them. For more information about Red Ribbon Week, or how one can stand against substance abuse, contact the Northwest Center for Behavioral Health Area Prevention Resource Center at 580-571-3240.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 23 October 2009 )
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