Red Ribbons Promote Drug-Free Lifestyle In Yorktown

YORTOWN, N.Y.-- You only live once or "YOLO" is the catchphrase of a campaign underway to promote drug-free living in Yorktown.

Yorktown cheerleaders hang red ribbons in honor of Red Ribbon Week to promote drug-free lifestyles.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

Donna Christopher

10/26/2016 8:00 a.m.

The Alliance for Safe Kids invites local residents to take a stand against drugs by celebrating Red Ribbon Week through Oct. 31.

Red ribbons with special messages are hung around Yorktown and at the Jefferson Valley Mall, a visible reminder to parents, teachers, business owners and community organizations to promote drug-free lifestyles.

This annual campaign started in 1985 when Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique S. “Kiki” Camarena was killed by drug-traffickers.

Shortly after Camarena’s death, citizens from his hometown of Calexico, Calif., began wearing red ribbons to remember him and commemorate his sacrifice.

Congress established Red Ribbon Week in 1988.

“Red Ribbon Week encourages our entire community to adopt healthy, drug-free lifestyles,” said Liz Talbert, Coalition Coordinator. “The campaign brings together parents, schools, and businesses as we look for innovative ways to keep kids and communities drug free. This year, the JV and Varsity Cheerleaders came out to help us tie the red ribbons throughout Yorktown.”

Participants are asked to celebrate Red Ribbon Week on social media by using the hashtag #ASKDrugFree.

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