Cable Sailors Encourage Children to Stay Drug-Free
By MC3 Anna L. Arndt,
USS Frank Cable (AS 40) Public Affairs

Release Date:11/9/2010

SANTA RITA, Guam – USS Frank Cable (AS 40) Sailors helped to promote drug awareness during Red Ribbon Week on Guam, Oct. 23 - 31.

Red Ribbon Week is an annual event, held nationwide during the last week of October. Participants wear red ribbons and use anti-drug events and community relations projects to encourage children to live a drug-free life.

Frank Cable Sailors volunteered their time to help raise drug awareness in the local community. The week kicked off with visits to Jose Rios Middle School and Price Elementary School.

"When the message of living drug free is promoted, it benefits the community, but perhaps more importantly, when children see people in positions of authority, such as military, law enforcement and emergency services, it reinforces the efforts of family and educators," said Lt. Glenn Fleming, USS Cable chaplain. "Hopefully we have left a lasting impact. It was a great opportunity for the Sailors to be a positive influence and have fun while doing it."

In addition to school presentations, a 5K race, a poster making contest and a gate decoration contest were held.

"I enjoy taking the time to come out into the community and help teach kids about staying drug-free," said Logistics Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Cliff Pugh. "It's very important to teach our youth about drugs, so they make good decisions as they grow older."

Red Ribbon Week concluded with "Say Boo to Drugs," an outreach at Agana Shopping Center in Hagatna, that combined the fun of Halloween with the important message of living drug-free.

Red Ribbon Week was inspired by Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) special agent who was murdered in 1985 while investigating drug traffickers in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Within weeks of his death, Camarena's congressman, Rep. Duncan Hunter, of California, and high school friend Henry Lozano, launched Camarena Clubs in Imperial Valley, Calif., Camarena's home. Hundreds of club members pledged to lead drug-free lives to honor the sacrifices made by Camarena and others.

These coalitions began to wear red ribbons in his memory. The National Red Ribbon Campaign emerged from the efforts of these clubs and coalitions, and is now the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation, reaching millions of young people during Red Ribbon Week.

Frank Cable recently completed a Military Sealift Command (MSC) integration and is preparing for sea trials.