(WHITE TWP., NJ) – Demonstrating their commitment to drug prevention and education, the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders declared this to be “Red Ribbon Week” to raise awareness about alcohol, tobacco and drug use.
The Red Ribbon campaign is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the nation as it seeks to channel communities and individuals to take a stand against drug abuse and for a commitment to live drug-free lives.
“A lot of times, folks feel it’s an obligation of people in elected positions to ramp up the war against drugs,” Freeholder Director Richard D. Gardner remarked as the freeholder board approved a proclamation declaring October 17-25 to be Red Ribbon Week. “But it really comes down to an obligation for each of us,” Gardner added.
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Department of Human Services Director Karen Kubert is congratulated by Freeholder Everett A. Chamberlain before Freeholder Angelo Accetturo and Freeholder Director Richard D. Gardner join with Chamberlain to present her with the proclamation declaring Oct. 17-25 to be “Red Ribbon Week.”
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“All the awareness that we can raise to prevent drug abuse, alcohol abuse and tobacco abuse, strengthens our family units and strengthens our society,” Freeholder Everett A. Chamberlain said. “We give thanks to the agencies that work to provide that educational effort and work to prevent the abuses from taking place,” said Chamberlain, who is freeholder board liaison to the Human Services department and its advisory committees.
Freeholder Angelo Accetturo noted that drug abuse is an unfortunate fact of life, adding, “It’s great that we have people who work tirelessly on trying to help and prevent drug abuse.” He said it is rewarding to help people who are fighting addictions and see them turn their lives around.
Karen Kubert, director of the Warren County Department of Human Services, received the proclamation from the board and noted, “It’s funding that the freeholders give to the agencies that allow these efforts to go on.”
Red Ribbon Week is set aside in October to honor the memory of Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who was assassinated in Mexico by a drug cartel in 1985. This week also honors the agency staff of various Warren County providers who work diligently to prevent the abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
The goal of the Warren County Red Ribbon Campaign is to promote family and individual responsibility for living a healthy drug free lifestyle without use of illegal drugs or the abuse of legal drugs, the freeholders noted.
“Any opportunity to talk about drug prevention or education is something our department really wants to take advantage of,” Kubert remarked.
“We are fortunate that we have a lot of good people in Warren County that are dealing with this. We’re thankful for that,” Gardner concluded.
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WHEREAS, on behalf of the citizens of Warren County, New Jersey, the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to recognize the week of October 17 through October 25, 2009 as “Red Ribbon Week” in Warren County; and
WHEREAS, this acknowledgement offers an opportunity to raise awareness regarding the solutions related to abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs by collaborating with municipalities, organizations, businesses, faith-based organizations, groups and individuals; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative that visible, unified prevention education efforts by community members be launched to reduce the demand for drugs; and
WHEREAS, a week is set aside in October to honor the memory of Drug Enforcement Agent, Enrique Camarena, who was assassinated in Mexico by a drug cartel in 1985. This week also honors the agency staff of various Warren County providers who work diligently to prevent the abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs; and |
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WHEREAS, it is the goal of the Warren County Red Ribbon Campaign to promote family and individual responsibility for living a healthy drug free lifestyle without use of illegal drugs or the abuse of legal drugs;
WHEREAS, local leaders, in government and in the community, know that the support of the people in the neighborhoods is an effective way to reduce the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in Warren County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders does hereby proclaim October 17 through October 25, 2009 as RED RIBBON WEEK in Warren County, joining the rest of the State in promoting the Red Ribbon Celebration and a drug-free New Jersey.
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