Pubdate: Wed, 23 Oct 2002
Source: Inland Valley Voice, The (CA)
Copyright: 2002 The Inland Valley Voice.
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/tcn/ontario/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2535
Note: By Staff Reports, Inland Valley Voice
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

POMONA SCHOOLS, POLICE LEAD RED RIBBON WEEK EVENTS

POMONA -- The city's public schools and the Police Department are leading a 
joint celebration today of Red Ribbon Week, an annual national campaign to 
discourage drug use.

The celebration starts at 9 a.m. at the Pomona Civic Center plaza at Garey 
Avenue and Mission Boulevard.

Scheduled performers include the Pomona High School Junior ROTC, which will 
present the colors. Pomona High School cheerleaders will lead anti-drug 
chants. Diamond Ranch High School peer counselors will perform anti-drug 
themed skits. Elementary school musicians also will perform.

The Police Department's mounted unit, officers from the Stop Trouble From 
Occurring in Pomona and Capt. Jim Harding, who is filling in as police 
chief until Ronald Lowenberg takes over as interim chief, will attend, 
along with Pomona City Council members and Mayor Eddie Cortez.

Red ribbons will be distributed to attendees. Wearing of red ribbons began 
in 1985 to commemorate federal Drug Enforcement Administration Agent 
Enrique Camarena, who was killed by drug traffickers in Mexico.

The school district will present a tree to the city to be planted at the 
close of the celebration.

A candlelight memorial at San Bernardino Valley College will be 6-7:30 p.m. 
today to remember those whose deaths were linked to drugs or alcohol. The 
vigil will take place in front of the school's administration building, 701 
S. Vernon Ave., San Bernardino.

Schools throughout the Inland Valley have their own Red Ribbon Week 
celebrations planned, ranging from anti-drug poster contests to school rallies.
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