Pubdate: Wed, 29 Nov 2006
Source: Petaluma Argus-Courier (CA)
Copyright: 2006 Petaluma Argus-Courier
Contact:  http://www.arguscourier.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/741
Author: Dick Sharke

THE SPIRIT OF RED RIBBON WEEK

Editor: On behalf of the McDowell Drug Task Force and the Camarena 
family, I would like to pay a special tribute to the wonderful 
students and staff at the 17 elementary schools who went the extra 
mile in decorating their schools for Red Ribbon Week. In the 21 years 
that I have been going to the schools with this program, there had 
never been such an outpouring of energy and working together as there 
was this year. The number of telephone calls about the quality of the 
decorations was beyond belief.

I would also like to thank the mayor and the Petaluma City Council 
for their undying support over the years and to the folks who make 
and put up the red ribbons throughout the community. There is no 
other city that takes Red Ribbon Week as seriously as Petaluma does. 
What an example for the rest of the country we are -- especially the 
young folks who are starting to step up to the plate.

Drugs and alcohol have plagued our community for many years and the 
lives of many of our youth have been taken from us. Until recently, 
the task force was the only group to speak out. Let's not put a 
dollar value on our youth, but put a sincere effort into curbing the 
alcohol use that takes so many lives.

I applaud the City Council and our police department for taking a 
hard stand. We will be with you every step of the way. Alcohol has no 
place in the lives of the young people who will one day lead this 
country. Maybe I can finally rest after 25 years knowing that we have 
turned the corner. Bless all of you who care so much about our children.

Dick Sharke, Executive Director

McDowell Drug Task Force

Petaluma
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MAP posted-by: Elaine