Countywide : Red Ribbon Week Events Scheduled

Orange County is gearing up for Red Ribbon Week, the annual campaign against drugs, with a host of events scheduled throughout the county.

During Red Ribbon Week, which runs from Saturday to Nov. 1, students, parents, teachers, civic leaders, law enforcement officials and their communities will rally together in a commitment against drugs.

“This is my one chance to get to kids before they get to high school,” said Michelle Carter, an Irvine parent who is organizing Red Ribbon Week activities at Sierra Vista Middle School. “I want to raise awareness of the hazards of drugs and alcohol and what it can do to their lives.”

Schools, cities and businesses across Orange County are planning events to promote the national campaign against drugs and alcohol. School campuses and city halls will be festooned with red ribbons; students will wear red wristbands to show that they’re proud to be drug-free; parents and city officials will pin on red ribbons; and citizens will tie red ribbons on car antennas, light poles, doors and trees.

“Every year it grows. Every year different segments of the community are involved,” said Madeleine Andor, chairwoman of the Orange County Red Ribbon Week Organizing Committee.

Andor said the Orange County Red Ribbon Week campaign is expected to be better than ever this year. The national campaign was launched in 1985 after Enrique Camarena, a federal narcotics agent, was killed by drug traffickers.

Wearing a red ribbon has become the symbol of the nationwide effort to encourage a drug-free lifestyle, officials said. Andor said it is no longer unfashionable among younger people to be associated with the anti-drug campaign.

“When I first got involved, teen-age kids were afraid to fly red ribbons or put a bumper sticker on their cars,” she said. “Now more and more people are not ashamed to fly the red ribbon and say: ‘I’m against drugs.’ It’s just a change of consciousness.”

The following is a calendar of some of the local events. For more information, call the Red Ribbon hot line at (714) 568-4187.

* Saturday, Anaheim, “Red Ribbon Walk of Champions,” 8 a.m. to noon at Maxwell Park on Orange Avenue, between Magnolia Avenue and Dale Street.

* Saturday, Fountain Valley, “Paint the Town Red.” Volunteers will meet at 10 a.m. at City Hall, 10200 Slater Ave., to tie ribbons around trees and light poles. Celebration follows at Heritage Park.

* Saturday, Mission Viejo, “South Orange County Teen Expo ‘92” at Oso Viejo Community Park, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It features a morning walk, community fair, entertainment, games and food.

* Sunday, Huntington Beach, “Second Annual Red Ribbon Week Beach Games,” City Beach, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Area police officers and firefighters will compete in games. Food and entertainment also featured.

* Sunday, Orange, “Tie Orange Red” celebration at 10 a.m. at City Hall, 300 E. Chapman Ave. Red ribbons will be given to distribute throughout The Plaza and downtown.

* Monday, Irvine, U.S. Customs Canine Enforcement Teams will re-create a drug detection demonstration at 8 a.m. at Sierra Vista Middle School. Comedian Scott Wood, an ex-drug dealer and former alcohol and drug user, will present “Drugs Aren’t Funny.”

* Monday, San Juan Capistrano High School. Students will hold a rally at 10:15 a.m. Also included will be a demonstration by Friends Against Drinking and Driving.

* Oct. 30, Anaheim, a concert featuring Julie Miller at Set Free Church, 320 N. Anaheim Blvd. Concert is free, but those attending must have an admission ticket. Call (800) 24-SMART for tickets.