By Staff
Our View
Drugs have become a scourge on modern society creeping into our backyards and homes.
The only way we can fight the war on drugs is to arm ourselves with information. No longer can we close our eyes, blinded to the problems. It is time that we as educators, parents and friends talk to those we feel might be suffering from those addictions bent on destroying our lives.
Drugs are deadly, bad for your health and illegal.
This past year "Yellow" ribbons have been posted everywhere from business windows to cars showing our support of our local heroes. This month is marked as Breast Cancer Awareness Month identified by "Pink" ribbons. Now as National Red Ribbon week sets in this week, October 23 -31, 2004, we should all sport our "Red" ribbons proudly as a soldier in the war on drugs.
The vibrant red ribbon wears like a badge of honor that we are drug free and proud of it. Beginning in 1985 with the death of a DEA agent, Kiki Camarena, the week itself is a week that way that allows communities to take a visible stand against drugs and show their commitment to a drug-free lifestyle.
Illicit drug usage kills millions of people, including children, every year. Every person who sports their red ribbon is one more piece of ammunition against drug usage and manpower is the most valuable thing in this difficult fight.
There are no secrets when it comes to drug usage. It kills people. It tears apart families, it destroys friendships and it burns bridges. Only with education and the courage to say, "NO," can we ever hope to win this deadly war. There is good news though; less than two months ago the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced through a press release a five percent decline in the number of American youth between the ages of 12 and 17 who have ever used marijuana.
Education works, please pass the information along. For more information concerning drug abuse please visit the Office of National Drug Control Policy at http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/
Remember, the nation may only have red ribbon week but it's important to be drug free for a lifetime. It be the difference between life and death.