Rock Co. Celebrates Red Ribbon Week

Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation, reaching millions of Americans during the last week of October every year. 

By wearing red ribbons and participating in community anti-drug events, young people pledge to live a drug free life and pay tribute to DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena.

Special Agent Camarena was an 11-year veteran of the DEA assigned to investigate the country’s biggest marijuana and cocaine traffickers.  His tragic kidnapping and death in 1985 opened the eyes of many Americans to the dangers of drugs and scope of the international drug trade.  Through collaboration of politicians, parents, schools, and youth the coordinated efforts marked the recognition of the first National Red Ribbon Week in 1988.

Throughout Rockingham County schools and organizations will be engaged in different activities honoring Red Ribbon week. Over 1,000 red tulip bulbs have been distributed to schools for children to plant around the schoolyard and throughout the community. 

Over 1,000 red ribbons have been distributed for kids and adults to wear showing their support for this anti-drug campaign.  Some schools are participating in NH’s Drug Free Bunny campaign which appeals to youth with more edgy drug and alcohol prevention messages, visit www.nhdrugfreebunny.org to learn more. 

The Allies in Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force had orginally scheduled the filming of its youth led media project at the Raymond Police Department on Thursday, but due to inclement weather in the forecast, it will be rescheduled. Through the significant support from the Raymond Police and use of NH Department of Justice funding more than 15 youth representing the Greater Rockingham County region have had the opportunity to create a commercial focusing on the consequences and dangers of underage drinking. 

Kids from Exeter High School, Cooperative Middle School, Deerfield Middle School, Pinkerton Academy, Coe Brown, Hampstead Middle School, and Raymond Coalition for Youth have nicely partnered with law enforcement, coalitions, and Birch Hill Media Productions to create and finalize this project. 

Weather pending, the group will be meeting this Thursday at Raymond P.D. from 2:30 to 6:30pm to film the commercial. Once edited, the intent is to have it aired on local access channels, YouTube, websites, and other media venues.  Another goal is that schools will be interested in using this as an educational tool to broadcast in school assemblies and initiate open dialogue for youth around the topic of substance use and prevention.

Finally, to mark the end of Red Ribbon Week a large number of NH communities will be participating in the National DEA Prescription Drug Take Back event scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Check out http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html for more information and sites located near you.  In the Greater Rockingham County you will find take back locations at over 18 sites including Candia, Danville, Derry, Epping, Exeter, Fremont, Hampton, Kingston, Londonderry, Newton, North Hampton, Pelham, Plaistow, Raymond, Salem, Sandown, Seabrook, Stratham, and Windham.  Much thanks to all the Law enforcement and community support that goes into hosting this event and keeping our communities a safer place.  Prescription drug abuse is rising in NH and across the Nation and these types of efforts help reduce access to the problem by getting unused, unwanted, and expired medications out of harms way. 

Congratulations Rockingham County, we’re making great strides to reduce underage drinking and substance use as well as the negative consequences associated with substance abuse. To learn more about how you can become directly involved in supporting prevention efforts in your community contact Sandi Rubchinuk, Regional Coordinator for Allies in Substance Abuse at 603-454-4623 or cpcjcoordinator@uwgs.org.  Visit www.asapnh.com for more information.

Submitted by Sandi Rubchinuk, regional coordinator, Allies in Substance Abuse