Red Ribbon Week raises drug awareness

Drug Use is Life Abuse, a non-profit, anti-drug organization that works in conjunction with the Douglas County Sheriff's Advisory Board, sent over 9,000 red wrist bands to Douglas County schools in an effort to raise drug awareness for Red Ribbon Week.

According to the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Red Ribbon Week started in 1988 in honor of fallen D.E.A. agent Enrique Camarena, who was tortured to death while investigating drug cartels in Mexico. Friends and family began wearing red satin badges in his memory, and the practice spread to anti-drug coalitions who turned the tragedy into a national event.

Millions of people from across the country wore red wrist bands this week to raise drug awareness.

In Douglas County, businesses offered discounts and free items to customers wearing wrist bands, including AM/PM, Burger King, Pizza Barn, Quiznos, Taco Bell and Sierra Nevada Trading Company.

"I've heard that some of the kids keep the bracelets on for months," said Harold Willard, executive director of Drug Use is Life Abuse. "This is a way for them to say, 'I'm against drugs!'"

For more information about Drug Use is Life Abuse, call 267-4300.