Pubdate: Tue, 26 Oct 2004 Source: Tri-Valley Herald (Pleasanton, CA) Copyright: 2004 MediaNews Group, Inc. and ANG Newspapers Contact: http://www.trivalleyherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/742 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Red+Ribbon (Red Ribbon Week) CITIES MARK RED RIBBON WEEK Officials Urge Everyone To Take A Stand Against Illegal Drug Use Cities throughout the Valley are commemorating Red Ribbon Week, urging residents to take a stand against illegal drugs and use common sense when taking legal medications. Red ribbons will be displayed in public places to remind residents of the week's special significance, officials said. Red Ribbon Week is an annual event started in memory of Enrique Camarena, an agent with the Drug Enforcement Agency who was tortured and killed by drug traffickers in Mexico. He was kidnapped Feb. 7, 1985. His body was found one month later in a shallow grave. Camarena's friends and family wore red ribbons to honor his memory. Rose Macias, community safety assistant with Dublin Police Services, explained that red ribbons are worn during the week to demonstrate a unified front against drugs. Schools in Dublin will host anti-drug assemblies and poster contests, Macias said. In Pleasanton, officers will make the rounds to various schools and introduce kids to their police dogs, the Pleasanton Police Department said. Livermore Police officers also will be making the rounds this week, warning kids of the dangers of narcotics, officials said. Police encourage everyone to wear red ribbons and are asking parents to talk to their children about drugs. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek