An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Nov. 8, 2019

Texas Guard Counterdrug supports Red Ribbon events

By Master Sgt. Michael Leslie Texas Joint Counterdrug Task Force

AUSTIN, Texas – Red Ribbon Week has grown since its inception in 1988 to educate the public about the hazards of drug abuse. This year, the Texas National Guard Joint Counterdrug Task Force stepped up its support to law enforcement agencies and community anti-drug coalitions to bring this message to communities around Texas.

Drug-free starts with me.

"Red Ribbon is about educating the community on drug awareness and the negative impact drugs have on individuals and society," said Master Sgt. Celsa Reyes, counterdrug civil operations noncommissioned officer in charge.

The counterdrug task force started with teaching Girls Scouts in Liberty Hill, Texas, with a rock wall, dunk tank and a helicopter, showcasing the various capabilities of the program.

Task force members sponsored a Red Ribbon 5k Run, stood with Drug Enforcement Administration agents for prescription drug Take Back Day, and went to 39 schools in 12 cities giving briefings and handing out red wrist bands as a reminder to stay drug-free.

Master Sgt. Almera Rose, an assistant team leader for the counterdrug program, said communicating the danger drugs pose can save many lives.

"The message must be said repetitively in different ways," Rose said. "One way of doing that is through Red Ribbon Week."

In a new initiative with the DEA, an Army National Guard LUH-72 Lakota helicopter flew to Austin-area schools and a DEA agent told students what to watch for as they grow up and are possibly subjected to illicit drugs.

"We hope our Texas communities understand the commitment and passion we, National Guard members, have towards drug prevention and education programs," said Reyes. "Through the use of our helicopter, this event becomes memorable to our children and assists them in staying drug-free."

Students at each school raised their right hands and repeated a pledge to do well in school and stay drug-free.

Red Ribbon Week is in honor of DEA Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, who was tortured and killed by a Mexican drug cartel in 1985. Task force members were a part of an event in which Mika Camarena, Enrique's wife, spoke in Dallas, honoring her husband.

"Carrying on the legacy of 'Kiki' Camarena is a constant reminder of how lucrative and dangerous the illegal drug business can be," said Rose, "and if you get in their way, you will get hurt somehow."

 

 

Related Articles
Soldiers stand in formation during a mobilization ceremony for the 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element Jan. 20, 2025, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. The unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers, will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa.
Illinois Guard Unit to Support U.S. Army Europe and Africa
By Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton, | Jan. 21, 2025
SULLIVAN, Ill. - The Illinois Army National Guard’s 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element was activated Jan. 20 for deployment to Africa and Europe.A forward logistics element is a diverse team comprising...

U.S. Army Sgt. Bryce Carter, an infantryman with C Company, 1st Battalion, 160th Infantry Regiment, California Army National Guard, sharpens the blade of a hoe to clear brush and other debris as part of remediation efforts along the Mulholland Trail near Tarzana, California, in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire, Jan. 18, 2025. Carter and other members of his unit were assisting CALFIRE in mop-up efforts, which included clearing brush and backfilling firebreaks and other areas to prevent mudslides and reduce the impact of firefighting efforts.
National Guard Members Continue LA Wildfire Response
By Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy, | Jan. 21, 2025
LOS ANGELES – U.S. Army Sgt. Ricardo Hernandez watched from a cross street as sporadic traffic passed on the Pacific Coast Highway near Pacific Palisades. The late afternoon sun glinted off his sunglasses as a man on a...

Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, chief, National Guard Bureau, Army Senior Enlisted Advisor John Raines, SEA to the CNGB, and Army Lt. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, director, Army National Guard, visit National Guardsmen on duty to support the 60th Presidential Inauguration as part of Joint Task Force – District of Columbia (JTF-DC), Washington, D.C., Jan. 19, 2025. JTF-DC is a scalable and tailorable entity that supports presidential inaugurations every four years and is led by the commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard. JTF-DC supports civilian authorities, such as the U.S. Capitol Police, U.S. Secret Service and D.C. Metropolitan Police by providing support like crowd management, traffic control points, CBRN response, civil disturbance response and sustainment operations.
National Guard Bureau Leaders Meet With Guardsmen Supporting 60th Presidential Inauguration
By Master Sgt. Zach Sheely, | Jan. 20, 2025
WASHINGTON – About 7,800 National Guard troops are on duty here as part of a large interagency presence to ensure the peaceful transition of power during the 60th Presidential Inauguration Monday, continuing a legacy that...