OASAS Celebrates National Red Ribbon Week October: 23-31

ALBANY, NY (10/22/2008)(readMedia)-- State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo today called on New Yorkers to support National Red Ribbon week Oct. 23-31, a drug prevention program which displays red ribbons to promote a drug-free America.

The National Red Ribbon Campaign, founded in 1985 by the National Family Partnership (NFP), reaches millions of young people each year to present a unified commitment to supporting drug-free lifestyles through the use of red ribbons. The red ribbon campaign was started when in 1985, Federal Drug Enforcement Administration Agent, Enrique Camarena, was kidnapped, tortured and killed by drug lords. Since that time, people across the country have worn red ribbons during the last week of October in his memory. Over time, the red ribbon has come to symbolize the importance of grass roots substance abuse prevention efforts to change behavior around drug use.

"Enrique Camarena had a belief that one person can make a difference," said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. "We must embrace that belief and continue to deliver the message of hope to the 2.5 million New Yorkers who suffer from alcohol and drug addiction. Whether you are a parent, family member, friend or community member, you will have a healthy influence on a child's life if you set clear rules and enforce consequences about not using alcohol or drugs, serve as a positive role model, and encourage others to do the same."

According to a 2002 report issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, teens are especially at risk for addiction because they generally become more addicted to substances faster than adults and rarely receive early intervention. This is partly because the signs of teen substance abuse are frequently dismissed as typical teen age behavior.

"In our state, we know that as many as 160,000 teens may need treatment and more than 12,000 teens were treated for alcohol or drug addiction last year, " said Carpenter-Palumbo. "We must continue to commit ourselves to protecting young people and work to increase awareness about the perils of substance abuse to help children grow up safe, healthy and drug-free," said Carpenter-Palumbo.

Evidence-based prevention strategies are a key component of the OASAS mission to improve the lives of New Yorkers by leading a premier system of addiction services through prevention, treatment, recovery. A number of prevention programs from across the state are spreading the drug-free awareness message in their communities.

Here are some prevention activities that were sent to OASAS:

• Genesee Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Inc. is displaying red ribbons on their Main Street and throughout business windows. They are hosting a S.A.D.D. dance, REaDy-Set-REaD event at Richmond Memorial Library, Big Top Candy Carnival, Walk for a Drug-Free Community, Grandparent Support Group, SafeHomes events, and broadcasting information on Red Ribbon Week through local media. Contact: 585 815-1870
• DePaul's National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence-Rochester Area is providing resources to schools on a wide variety of addiction related topics for each school to tailor messages to their own district/school/classroom. A public service announcement will run on local media with an underage drinking and prescription drug abuse message to parents. Contact: 585-426-8000
• WNY United Against Drug & Alcohol Abuse Inc. will be holding rallies, demonstrations, ceremonies with several theme days for the week, such as Plant the Promise Day, Wear Red Day, Make the Pledge Day, Team Up Against Drugs Day, Recognize Role Models Day, Show Your Spirit Day and Say "Boo" to Drugs Day. In addition, WNY United will work with around 40 different area schools to construct a giant red ribbon for students to sign as a promise to not abuse drugs. Last year's red ribbon had over 5000 signatures. Contact: 716-821-7722, ext. 314

OASAS oversees one of the nation's largest addiction services programs, with 1,550 prevention and treatment providers which serve 110,000 New Yorkers on any given day.

In New York state, for information or assistance with an alcohol, substance abuse, call the addictions helpline at 1-800-522-5353 or go to the OASAS web site. Problem gambling help is available at 1-800-437-1611.

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