DoDEA to Participate in Red Ribbon Week

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA — The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) and many of its schools around the world will join military installations and schools throughout the United States in participating in Red Ribbon Week.

Red Ribbon Week, sponsored by the National Family Partnership, will be observed from October 23-31. The Red Ribbon Campaign is now the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation, reaching millions of young people each year.

The Department of Defense (DoD) will participate in Red Ribbon Week again this year. Dr. David S.C. Chu, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, has declared October 22-24, as the DoD's official observance of Red Ribbon Week.

During Red Ribbon Week specialized programs and observances are carried out to create awareness and educate participants of the dangers of drug abuse and the benefits of a healthy and drug-free lifestyle.

All DoD components are encouraged to participate in Red Ribbon Week, to include displaying red ribbons. The red ribbon and the observance of Red Ribbon Week began as a way to commemorate and honor Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Agent who was kidnapped and later killed by drug traffickers for his efforts on the war against drugs.

Today, participants still wear red ribbons during Red Ribbon Week to remember Camarena, but the ribbons are also worn as a reminder to children, families and communities to take a stand against drug use through the use of prevention education, and by pledging to live a drug-free life in order to ultimately create a healthier, safer and drug-free America.

DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates, and manages the education programs for Department of Defense (DoD) dependents who would otherwise not have access to a high-quality public education. DoDEA consists of the Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) located overseas, and the Department of Defense Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools (DDESS) located in the United States and its territories and possessions. DoDEA provides education to eligible DoD military and civilian dependents from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

For more information please visit the National Family Partnership's website:
http://cmnfp.pictco.org/default.asp?PageNum=582

Or visit the Red Ribbon Coalition's website:
http://www.redribboncoalition.com/index.php/history

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