Wave: A wave was held to raise awareness of the Red Ribbon campaign in front of Micronesia Mall in Dededo, yesterday. The Red Ribbon campaign aims to educate the youth about the dangers of drug use. Rick Cruz/Pacific Daily News/rmcruz@guampdn.com

Red Ribbon Week raises awareness of Drug Abuse

Written by Cameron Miculka
Pacific Daily News
Oct. 13, 2012

During the month, several events will be held across the island to educate students and communities about the dangers of drug use.

Red Ribbon Week is an annual event held during the last week of October designed to raise awareness about drug abuse. On Guam, a release from the campaign explained that events are scheduled throughout the month of October.

Yesterday, northern schools held a wave for Red Ribbon Month at Micronesia Mall. Students from two schools, Simon Sanchez High School and Okkodo High School held signs and waved at passing cars in order to highlight the program.

The National Guard Counterdrug Program, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Navy's Campaign Drug Free Flagship also were represented at the wave, as well as the Dededo mayor's office.

Katrina Camacho, with the Air Force, explained that the activities gave campaign participants the opportunity to warn students and community members about the dangers of drugs, as well as promoting the campaign's theme "The best me is drug free."

Dededo Mayor Melissa Savares, who is running for re-election, also joined students at the event.

Savares said the campaign promoted and emphasized how drugs affect the community as well as encouraging the remembrance of those who fight as a part of the country's war on drugs.

She expressed her hopes that the campaign communicates to parents the importance of being aware of their children's activities and awareness of resources available to those affected by drugs.

"There's help out there," she said.

She also wanted students to be aware of what they can do if they suspect someone they know is abusing drugs and encouraged them to be a friend by offering help while avoiding falling into abuse themselves.

"To be successful, students need to know drugs do a lot of damage," she said. "They need to finish school and pursue their goals."

The mayor encouraged those with problems to contact their physician or the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse to find resources available to them.

"(Drug abuse) is a community problem," she said, "and it's the community that will help solve and address the problem."