Annual Observance Promoting A Healthy, Drug-Free Lifestyle

Like they do every fall, many of Civil Air Patrol’s more than 61,000 members are promoting healthy, drug-free lifestyles during their nationwide observance of Red Ribbon Week. The oldest, largest drug prevention campaign in the U.S., Red Ribbon Week is observed across America Oct. 23-31. This year’s theme is “The Best Me is Drug Free.” Throughout the week, CAP wings are encouraging their officers and cadets to show support for a drug-free America by wearing and distributing red ribbons emblazoned with the slogan “Follow Your Dream & Stay Clean.” 

“We normally give out over 200,000 ribbons for all of the volunteers to use,” said Margaret Probst, program assistant for the Drug Demand Reduction Program at CAP National Headquarters.

Members are also conducting educational programs at schools in their communities. Using the DDR Program’s Red Ribbon Leadership Academy curriculum, officers and cadets speak out against drug use and share leadership lessons with local middle school students. “We have leaders who are chosen from each of the wings and units. Their job is to promote a drug-free message to cadets,” said Probst, whose office provides many of the materials for community outreach efforts across CAP.

Books, pamphlets, pens, pencils and bracelets from CAP serve as a reminder to youth that “drugs are bad,” she said. “You never know when they’re going to look at that message and it hits home.” Capt. Mary Story of CAP’s Maine Wing, one of the many members across America who strive to make a difference in their communities by working with the DDR Program, said, “We’ve got to get the truth about drugs out to young people.”

The U.S. Air Force and Civil Air Patrol became involved with Red Ribbon Week in 1994 as a way to improve the lives of service members’ families and children. CAP, as the Air Force auxiliary, has since expanded its role to include a year-round Drug Demand Reduction Program with three major elements – education, training and community outreach. Each element is designed to bring an anti-drug message to the community, students throughout the nation and CAP members.

The origins of Red Ribbon Week date back nearly three decades to a local effort in Imperial Valley, CA, to honor the memory of former resident Enrique Camarena, a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent slain in March 1985 in Mexico. Members of Camarena Clubs began wearing red ribbons in the slain agent's memory. In 1988, Congress proclaimed the final week of October as “Red Ribbon Week for a Drug-Free America.”

Red Ribbon Week has since grown to be the nation’s best-known drug prevention program. Participants annually include schools, businesses, government, military, service organizations, law enforcement, religious institutions, adults and youth who wear the red ribbon to show their support for the campaign.

Currently, 48 CAP wings are active in the program, with 468 squadrons active across those 48 states.

FMI: www.gocivilairpatrol.com