Red Ribbon Week is dedicated to Federal Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique Camarena, who was killed by drug traffickers in Mexico in 1985. Camarena worked his way through college, served in the Marines and became a police officer. When he decided to join the US Drug Enforcement Administration, his mother tried to talk him out of it. "I'm only one person", he told her, "but I want to make a difference." In honor of Camarena's memory and his battle against illegal drugs, friends and neighbors began to wear red badges of satin. Parents, sick of the destruction of alcohol and other drugs, had begun forming coalitions. Some of these new coalitions took Camarena as their model and embraced his belief that one person can make a difference. These coalitions also adopted the symbol of Camarena's memory, the red ribbon. In 1988, Congress officially proclaimed the first National Red Ribbon Week. The Red Ribbon has now become a symbol for the drug-free movement.
Today marks the end for this year in honor of Red Ribbon Week. However, we can keep it alive all year long, for a lifetime, by practicing safe choices for ourselves and our children.
How can you help your child? Here are some tips:
1. Explain to your child that he/she is very special and that it is important to respect oneself and take care of oneself. This means being drug free.
2. Review the facts about drug use and abuse with your child. Discuss your family’s values about drug use and obeying the law.
3. Teach your child to take medicines only when you or another trusted adult gives it to him/her. Remind your child that it is never right for children to take medication on their own.
4. Encourage your child to take responsibility for saying “NO” to drugs and “YES” to fun and healthy activities.
5. Be a positive role model by maintaining healthy habits in your everyday life.
6. Keep communication open. Create an atmosphere at home where your child feels free to talk to you when he/she has a problem.
7. Role-play refusal skills so your child will know how to resist drugs if they are offered.
8. Build your child’s self-esteem in every way you can. Spend time together and let your child know that your love is constant. Praise your child’s achievements, as well as efforts, to do his/her best. The stronger your child’s self-esteem, the more confident he/she will be to reject drugs and/or other risky behaviors, and instead, choose wholesome activities.
Thank you for your support as we work together to help our children be the BEST that they can be by being DRUG-FREE!!!!!
Posted by Plevy at October 24, 2008 03:59 PM