County Executive Neuhaus participates in Red Ribbon Week Kickoff Celebration

Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus joined the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Council of Orange County (ADAC), the Monroe-Woodbury School District, local Anti-Drug Community Coalitions for the county’s 31st annual (but first-ever virtual) Red Ribbon Week Kickoff Celebration on Thursday, Oct. 22 at the Government Center.

Chairman of the Orange County Legislature Steve Brescia, District Attorney David Hoovler and Undersheriff Kenneth T. Jones also attended the ceremony. Neuhaus and Brescia read a proclamation recognizing Red Ribbon Week, which was presented to Monroe-Woodbury Superintendent Elsie Rodriguez, who was also in attendance.

“The importance of combatting drugs in our schools and our communities has never been greater,” Neuhaus said. “The lives of far too many of our families and friends are being impacted by drug use. We need to use every tool possible, and awareness and prevention are important first steps. I appreciate all the efforts of ADAC to educate and inform our community on this critical issue and the County is glad to continue to partner with ADAC and our schools for this critical initiative.”

Red Ribbon Week: Oct. 26-30

Red Ribbon Week serves as an opportunity for people and communities to unite, raise awareness and take a visible stand against drugs. Each of the eight Community Anti-Drug Coalitions in Orange County and Monroe-Woodbury School District contributed to this year’s virtual events. Volunteers from the coalitions, Monroe-Woodbury students and staff, as well as staff and volunteers from ADAC tied Red Ribbons to the trees surrounding the Orange County Government Center at the virtual event.

This year’s theme is “Be Happy, Be Brave, Be Drug Free.” As this year’s host school, on Monday, October 26, Monroe Woodbury Schools welcomed students and families throughout Orange County to participate in a virtual presentation by motivational speaker, Marc Mero. Mero, founder of the nonprofit Champion of Choices, shared his journey and inspire people to examine their own life choices. A variety of other activities were scheduled at schools throughout Orange County. Red Ribbon Week runs through Friday, Oct. 30.

DEA agent Kiki Camarena

The Red Ribbon Campaign began in response to the 1985 murder of DEA agent Kiki Camarena by drug traffickers in Mexico City. The tradition of displaying Red Ribbons as symbols of intolerance of the use of drugs continues today. The mission of the Red Ribbon Campaign, the oldest continuous drug prevention initiative in the United States, is to present a unified and visible commitment towards the creation of a drug-free America.

Essentials

For more information about Red Ribbon week and tips to keep kids drug free, visit www.redribbon.org. For more information on the services the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Council of Orange County provides visit www.adacinfo.com.