PRIDE Bermuda Red Ribbon Campaign
PRIDE Bermuda today [Oct.21] announces that their fourteenth annual Red Ribbon Campaign will take place next week, with a focus on supporting students and community coalition-building.
“Our goal with this year’s Red Ribbon Campaign is to raise awareness of our Student Assistance Programmes and to call on the community to work more closely with Prevention Agencies to prevent drug abuse and violence,” says Judith Burgess, PRIDE Bermuda’s Executive Director.
“The wide-reaching and devastating effects of drug and alcohol abuse among young people must be more widely understood, including mental health illnesses, poor academic performance, increased incidences of violence and long-term socio-economic issues. We believe that by talking to young people, and working with them on a psycho-educational level, we can help our children choose a drug-free lifestyle early on. In order to be successful however, we need the community’s support. After all, our mission is ‘Changing Bermuda by Preparing Youth to Resist Drugs and Make Positive Life Decisions.”
“This year PRIDE is doing something new! We are combining our Kick-off and Lunch in the Park, to take place on Wednesday, October 26 at 12:30 p.m. and all are invited to attend. The First 150 persons wearing RED will be treated to a brown bag lunch. The Governor, Mayor and other notable dignitaries will open the event, followed by a few speeches, entertainment by our students, alumni and friends. On Friday, October 28, we are asking the public to sport their Red Ribbons in support of our young people and drug prevention. Many of our businesses have purchased these ribbons for their staff; supplies are still available at the PRIDE Office, if you wish to participate.”
“As this year is PRIDE Bermuda’s 25th anniversary, we are hoping to make 2011’s Red Ribbon Campaign the most successful yet. We are urging parents and members of the Bermuda community to participate and to educate themselves and their children about the positive work that PRIDE is doing in the community,” continues Mrs. Burgess. “Collectively, we can make a difference in the lives of Bermuda’s young people.”
The Red Ribbon Campaign began in 1988 in honour of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena who was kidnapped and killed in Mexico in February of 1985. Mr. Camarena had uncovered a multi-billion dollar drug scam in which he suspected officers of the Mexican army, police forces and government of being involved. His tragic death led to an outpouring of sympathy around the world and led to a formalized campaign of hope in Mr. Camarena’s honour.
For more information about the Red Ribbon Campaign, or to get involved, call PRIDE Bermuda on 295-9970 or email info@pride.prevention.bm.
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