By Blake Moren, CTCN Correspondent

Oct. 23-31, Red Ribbon Week honors DEA Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. Camarena was killed in action in 1985 and Camarena’s friends and family began wearing red ribbons to honor Camarena.

On Oct. 18, Wichita Mountains Prevention Network (WMPN) and Pathways to a Healthier You placed a banner and ribbons at Fuqua Park.

WMPN Prevention Coordinator for Stephens and Jefferson Counties Gina Olheiser said they increase drug prevention awareness by doing activities throughout the week.

They have visited various cities across Jefferson and Stephens County, distributing yard signs, and ribbons, providing presentations at schools, and gathering more business involvement.

Business owners who want to decorate their businesses or have their employees wear red are encouraged to send their photos to provide awareness. Olhieiser said that they are also conducting a poster contest for middle schools in Stephens, Jefferson, and Comanche County.

“We’ll have some prizes that we’ll be giving the kids,” Olheiser said.

Olheiser also said children need to be provided awareness of the dangers of substances. Early and open communication will make children more relaxed about talking about drugs with their parents.

If local business owners want to participate in the last days of Red Ribbon Week, they and their employees can wear red ribbons, display red ribbons inside and outside their building, and sign the Red Ribbon Week Pledge at https://www.redribbon.org/pledge.

They also encourage members of the community to participate in the Red Ribbon Photo Contest. Interested parties can also provide awareness to the community to both secure and take inventory of their medicine cabinets so that the abuse of expired or unused medications can be avoided.

You can also sponsor a local school with Red Ribbon’s merchandise.

For those wanting to set up a school presentation, email golheiser@wmpn.org or call 580-439-4676.

For additional information, go to https://www.redribbon. org/ or call 580-355-5246.