Red Ribbon Week hits Mountain Home

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MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  The Mountain Home Drug Demand Reduction Program office sponsors of this year's Red Ribbon Campaign from Oct. 23 to 31.

Red Ribbon Week originated as a tribute to Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" S. Camarena of the Drug Enforcement Administration who died in 1985, at the hands of drug traffickers in Guadalajara, Mexico. His death enraged many Americans in his hometown of Calexico, Calif., and they began to wear red ribbons to commemorate his sacrifice. The anti-drug message spread quickly, and in 1988, the National Family Partnership took the Red Ribbon celebration nationwide

"The red ribbon symbolizes a stop sign - stop the violence of drug use," said John Sanders, 366th Medical Operations Squadron Demand Reduction Program manager. "It is also worn to attract attention and focus on a common cause. It's a promise to maintain commitment to the health and safety of families, young people and self.

"The Drug Demand Reduction Program will have an education booth set up at a health fair sponsored by Elmore Medical Center and held at Hacker Middle School in Mountain Home Oct. 25 from 7 to 11 a.m.," said Mr. Sanders. "We will be distributing red ribbons and toys and have activities and informational products with an anti-drug message. Bring your children out for a fun, educational time."

The DDRP staff will also send students attending the base primary school home with the same anti-drug messages and toys beginning next week.

In addition to its prevention activities, the Drug Demand Reduction Program health professionals conduct more than 4,000 drug tests utilizing a computer-generated random system. This system ensures the tests are free from potential bias while making it unpredictable to emphasize the Air Force's zero tolerance policy regarding illegal drug use.

"Tests are conducted at a minimum of eight days a month, and samples are shipped to Brooks City Base, Texas, to be analyzed," said Mr. Sanders. "Positive results are reviewed by local physicians to determine if the findings are medically justified. Less than one percent of cases where samples result in a positive test cannot be explained by a legitimate prescription. The Air Force's robust drug testing program has been essential in our ability to maintain the lowest illicit drug use when compared to other branches."

For more information, call the drug demand reduction office at 828-1649.