Red Ribbon Week brings awareness to Incirlik

  • Published
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  America's oldest and largest drug prevention program reached its 23rd year as National Red Ribbon Week kicked off once again Oct. 23. Red ribbons flourished at Incirlik Unit School and other locations to promote drug-free lifestyles and honor the contributions of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enriqué "Kiki" Camarena.

According to the DEA website, Camarena was assigned to the Guadalajara, Mexico, office where he was tracking the country's biggest marijuana and cocaine traffickers. In February 1985, as he was near breaking a multi-billion dollar drug network, he was kidnapped, tortured and murdered by Mexican drug traffickers. His death sparked the desire to spread the dangers of drugs and the international scope of the drug trade.

A congressman and one of Camarena's high school friends launched a club where hundreds of members pledged to live drug free, the website acknowledges. The pledges were delivered to former First Lady Nancy Reagan. Following the coordination of the National Family Partnership and the assistance of former President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan to organize the event, red ribbons became a symbol of awareness and scorn for drug abuse.

"The NFP estimates that more than 80 million people participate in Red Ribbon events each year," states the DEA site.

In recognition of National Red Ribbon Week, the fitness center is hosting a Red Ribbon Week late-night kickball event 9 p.m. Oct. 28. Pre-register a team online by noon Oct. 27 at www.39fss.com/fitness.html. For more information, call the fitness center at DSN 676-6086.

Also, the 39th Force Support Squadron is offering various incentives to wearing a red ribbon to include the following:

- $1 game of bowling at the bowling center (limit one per day) Oct. 24-28
- $1 green fees at the golf course (limit one per day) Oct. 24-28
- Free ice cream at the community center (limit one per person while supplies last)

Red ribbons are available at the library, medical clinic and youth center.

(Information from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration website was used in this article.)