HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
DRUG ABUSE RESISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAM
OFFICER WARREN K. SHAW
PHONE: 961-8833
OCTOBER 15, 1999
MEDIA RELEASE
Motorists will see many local school students and their supporters waving signs along the highway this month to support a drug-free Big Island.
The sign waving is part of this year’s National Red Ribbon Week observance, October 23-31, sponsored locally by the Police Department’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program.
This red ribbon campaign will hold its kick-off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 23, at the Kapiolani School Health and Safety Fair.
D.A.R.E. officers and other supporters will join the students in sign-waving according to the following schedule:
- Monday, October 25 — 3-5 p.m., on Mamalahoa Highway fronting Waimea Elementary School in Waimea, South Kohala.
- Tuesday, October 26 — 3-5 p.m., on the Keaau-Pahoa Highway fronting Keaau Elementary School in Puna.
- Wednesday, October 27 — 3-5 p.m., on Queen Kaahumanu Highway below Wal-Mart in Kailua-Kona.
- Thursday, October 28 — 7:15-7:45 a.m. and 2:15-2:45 p.m., on Puainako Street in the Waiakea Intermediate School parking area in Hilo.
- Saturday, October 30 — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Lincoln Park in Hilo.
The weeklong program will culminate with a “D.A.R.E. Halloween Blast ’99,” to be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 30, at Lincoln Park in Hilo. The event will feature entertainment, treats for children, Halloween safety tips and a costume parade and contest.
Red Ribbon Week is dedicated to federal drug enforcement agent Enrique Camarena, who was killed by drug traffickers in Mexico in 1985. In response to his death, angered parents across the country began wearing red ribbons to symbolize their commitment toward the creation of a drug-free America.
In 1988, Congress officially proclaimed the first National Red Ribbon Week on October 23-31. The red ribbon has now become a symbol for the drug-free movement, and Red Ribbon Week is celebrated by more than 100,000 schools and organizations nationwide.
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