Red Ribbon Week Observed, Funded, Celebrated In 2024

In 2024, the City of Hamilton has chosen to monumentally go above and beyond previous efforts in showing its support of Red Ribbon Week and everything it stands for in preventing drug use in school students and celebrating recovery for adults. The Marion County Commission has also joined in, helping to fund publicity, materials and supportive measures. The Hamilton Police Department, as well as other police departments in the county, are also leading educational assemblies for students, counselors and teachers.
School officials and teachers have for many years spread the life-saving messages associated with this special week. We are glad they will have such strong support and backing for their annual programs this year. There is no way to imagine how many children and families have been helped in the past and how many will be saved in the future.
Helping to initiate Hamilton’s massive and historial drive for Red Ribbon Week has been a committee of members working behind the scenes for weeks hoping to help save families from the harm drugs do to those they love. We honorably salute each and every one of you for your efforts, as well as everyone involved in helping to spread these life-saving messages. Thank you and may God bless our city, our children and our grandchildren.

Established in 1988 in honor  of drug
enforcement agent
Hamilton’s Red Ribbon Week Committee issued the following press release on their program.
Red Ribbon Week raises awareness of drug use and the problems related to drugs facing our community, and encourages parents, educators, business owners, citizens and other community organizations to promote drug-free lifestyles.
In 1985, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique S. "Kiki" Camarena was killed by drug traffickers.
Shortly after his death, citizens from his hometown of Calexico, Calif., began wearing red ribbons to remember him and commemorate his sacrifice.
The first official Red Ribbon Week celebration was created by the National Family Partnership in 1988. NFP continues to coordinate the campaign for families, schools and communities across the nation each year.
Since then, the red ribbon has symbolized a continuing commitment to reducing the demand for illicit drugs in our communities.
Research shows that children are less likely to use alcohol and other drugs when parents and other role models are clear and consistent in their opposition to drug use and the misuse of prescription drugs.
This year’s celebration will kick off on Oct. 23 through Oct. 31.
Hamilton has committed to be a drug free city, not only this week but every day, every week of every year.
You will see red ribbons everywhere to celebrate this event. Schools will have activities during this week, and there will be a booth set up at the Buttahatchee River Fall Fest on Saturday, Oct. 26, promoting "Say No To Drugs" with prizes to be given out.
United together, we can run the drugs out of our communities, cities and county and AWAY from our CHILDREN!
Visit GetSmartAboutDrugs.com for more information about Red Ribbon Week.   
Besides remarks made during the Oct. 7 Hamilton City Council meeting--covered in last week’s edition--the city’s special proclamation designating Oct. 23-31 as Red Ribbon Week includes the following statements:
• Alcohol and drug abuse affect individuals, families and communities across the nation.
• It is imperative that viable, unified efforts by community members be launched to prevent drug abuse.
• Businesses, government, law enforcement, media, health care providers, religious institutions, schools and other community-based organizations will demonstrate their commitment to healthy, drug-free lifestyles by wearing red ribbons and participating in drug prevention activities.

A multitude of
gratitude for
all involved
After the first portion of this editorial was written, we received word that Marion County Commissioner Greg Gunnin, on behalf of the commission, presented checks to both Hackleburg elementary and high schools, as well as to Bear Creek schools, to assist in their Red Ribbon Week activities. Gunnin noted later the commission made a donation to all the county schools, with the totals based on the number of school students.
“We need to do all we can do to help our schools and equip our schools and resource officers and police departments to help fight drugs in our schools and in our communities,” Gunnin said. We salute the commission for their financial gifts to all the county schools.
Hackleburg Mayor
Darryl Colburn is also to be commended for his town’s donation to the schools, too. He noted, "Red Ribbon Week is an important way for us to have conversations about drug use. I know we're focusing on schools and young people which is great, but I think we've all been affected at some time in our lives by drug abuse and addiction.
“I asked our principals at the check presentation if they could use the town's donation to focus on peer pressure. We know what all is out there that our kids have to deal with, but I feel like drug and alcohol use are at the top. This is a wonderful program to educate our kids about drugs and the  dangerous effects of usage."
We thank everyone who contributed to this editorial, and we certainly realize there are more mayors, commissioners, police departments, businesses and organizations that are providing extra funding, materials, programs and donations to schools in their areas, as well.
We applaud each and every single one of you individually and as groups, officials, organizations, departments, businesses and more for stepping up on behalf of youth and those in recovery to educate and raise awareness. We are grateful for those you save and those you celebrate. To God Be The Glory!

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