Source: Akron Beacon-Journal (OH)
Contact:  http://www.ohio.com/bj/
Copyright: 1998 by the Beacon Journal Publishing Co.
Pubdate: 18 Oct 1998

RED RIBBON IS DRUG-FREE SYMBOL

Campaign lets children and adults pledge to live free of substance abuse
Journal staff report

The kickoff for Stark County's annual Red Ribbon celebration will be on
Wednesday, helping to jump-start a national campaign to raise awareness and
educate people, especially children, on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.

Red Ribbon Week was created in 1986 to honor the work and memory of Enrique
Camarena, a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency agent who was killed by drug
traffickers in 1985. The week was adopted in Stark County five years ago.

Public events will be held through Oct. 31.  The theme for the week is
``Color My World Drug Free.''

The kickoff ceremony for Red Ribbon Week will be from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Wednesday in the McKinley Room of Canton Memorial Civic Center, 1101 Market
Ave. N. There will be entertainment and refreshments. Adults also will get
to see scenes from Addict, a production of Spotlight on Youth that usually
is only presented in schools.

During the weeklong celebration, red ribbons will be available from Quest
Recovery Services, the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board of Stark
County and other places in the county.

Wearing the ribbon means a pledge to live free of substance abuse,
organizers said.

Paul Guttman, associate director of the alcohol and drug board, said
schools request red ribbons for their students. This year, there have been
requests for more than 40,000 ribbons, including from the United
Steelworkers union, all Stark County hospitals and several businesses.

Problems associated with the use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs cost Ohio
residents more than $8 billion each year, according to the KidSummit
Against Drugs.

``We're trying to get professional people and merchants in town to get
involved in the drug-free goal,'' said Joe Paris, KidSummit founder and
director. ``It's important to get employee assistance programs in place.''

For more information, call Diana Berry at Quest Recovery Services,
330-453-8252, or Debbie Johnson at the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services
Board of Stark County, 330-453-8811. 

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Checked-by: Mike Gogulski