Community outreach for anti-drug education set for this week

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Carolyn Viss
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Dyess is gearing up once again for Red Ribbon Week, an anti-drug education and drug abuse awareness program observed every last week of October. The Defense Department theme this year is, "Ask me, see me, be me: Heroes remain drug-free." 

Designed to deter the use and abuse of controlled illegal drugs and other illicit substances through a comprehensive program of education, prevention, deterrence and community outreach, the week officially starts Oct. 24 and will last through Oct. 31. 

"[The vision is to] create an environment to maintain the health and wellness of a fit and ready workforce for a drug-free Dyess Air Force Base community," said Theodis Talbert, Dyess' Drug Demand Reduction Program manager, in a talking paper this week. 

Targeting school-age children, their families, and the Air Force community, events this year include informational briefings on substance abuse prevention at the base exchange, youth center, bowling alley, and local schools, Mr. Talbert said. The DDR race car will be on static display for students to view, and Mr. Talbert will demonstrate the effects of drugs and alcohol with impaired vision goggles, he said. 

"Most of the Air Force's newest recruits are in the 18- to 25-year-old age range," Mr. Talbert said. "In the Department of Defense, that is also the age range in which the most individuals test positive for drug and alcohol abuse," although this year Dyess' numbers are considerably lower than they have been in previous years, he said. "What that means is that we get our new trainees from the local population of school-age kids. If we can get information out to them early and deter them from using or abusing substances, by the time they're adults [we've got a head start on] prevention." 

Having served on active duty and as a civilian employee for a combined total of 30 years, Mr. Talbert said his work in drug demand reduction is his way of giving back to society. He said he wants to get the message out about the significance of drug abuse, because it has no part in the Air Force. 

"If you're going to be effective in your job in the Air Force, you can't abuse illegal or illicit substances," he said. "If you're on drugs, you can't be in control of your faculties, and depending on the job you do, some people only have one chance to get it right. If you are abusing a substance, it's not a question of 'Will I be caught?' it's a question of when." 

Although RRW is observed annually, it's not something to think about just one week out of the year, Mr. Talbert said. 

"Throughout the year, be the wingman you've already been trained and taught to be," he said. "Talk to your families and friends about the importance of being drug-free." 

Servicemembers who would like to self-identify for drug or substance abuse may do so without consequence as long as they have not had a drug- or alcohol-related incident for which they are being investigated. Airmen should self-ID through their supervisors or may call the mental health office at Dyess at 696-5380. 

Informational booth on substance abuse prevention (includes use of fatal vision impaired vision goggles) will be on display at Dyess Lanes Oct. 24 from 7 to 10 p.m.; at the base exchange Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; at the base exchange service station Oct. 27 from 1:15 to 6 p.m.; and at the Youth Center for after school participants and staff Oct. 31 at 4 p.m. The Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) race car will also be on static display for patrons to review. Other events will be held at community schools. For more information, call Mr. Talbert at 696-1751.

Red Ribbon Week originated as a tribute to Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" S. Camarena of the Drug Enforcement Administration, according to the paper. In 1985, he was kidnapped, tortured, and killed by drug traffickers in Guadalajara, Mexico. Kiki's death enraged many Americans in his hometown of Calexico, Calif., and they began to wear red ribbons to commemorate his sacrifice. The DoD joined the national effort in 1990.