FORT CARSON, Colo. – Soldiers, family members and civilians enjoyed various Red Ribbon Week events across Fort Carson and the local community area Oct. 27–31.
Red Ribbon Weeks focuses on making a difference in the community by educating children and adults about the dangerous and deadly consequences of drugs and alcohol, and was originally organized after the death of a Drug Enforcement Administration agent.
“Red Ribbon Week is an event kicked off in 1988 to recognize the sacrifice of DEA Agent Enrique (Kiki) Camarena, who was killed while fighting the drug war down in Mexico,” said Anthony McCollin, prevention coordinator, Army Substance Abuse Program. “His family started the Satin Ribbon, which turned into the Red Ribbon, and it kicked off the whole campaign of educating our youth on the effects of drugs and alcohol and the negative consequences of the choices they make.”
One negative consequence of drugs and alcohol is driving while under the influence or while intoxicated, which can lead to death or prison, and the Fort Carson Fire Department illustrates this with a wrecked car display.
“Our role with the display is to show the effects of DUIs,” said Aron Podczervinski, firefighter, Fort Carson Fire Department. “We show what we do and how it affects us.
“We see the first scenes with what happens with DUIs and the carnage and the aftereffects,” Podczervinski said. “After we respond to the accident, we take a lot of this stuff home to our families or the fire house”
The wrecked car display came from an accident that happened a few years ago involving three young Soldiers recently returned from a deployment. After having a few drinks, they hit another car head-on. The driver survived; however, the passengers did not.
“Some of the guys still talk about it and have to deal with it,” Podczervinski said. “We see the worst of the worst responding to these accidents.”
The benefit of Red Ribbon Week is the education that the children glean from these events and making a positive impact on the rest of their lives.
“I have a personal satisfaction knowing that I might have an impact on someone’s life and influence their choice,” McCollin said. “Especially the kids, they get really excited at these events. It is important to talk to your kids because they are not blind. They see things that go on, especially in the house.
“When we try to trick our kids on our own personal usage, they see right through it,” McCollin said. “If you find yourself using drugs and abusing alcohol there is always ASAP. Anybody, Soldier, military retiree, Department of the Army civilian or dependent can use our services.”
Date Taken: | 10.31.2014 |
Date Posted: | 11.06.2014 21:37 |
Story ID: | 147285 |
Location: | FORT CARSON, CO, US |
Web Views: | 42 |
Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Drugs, alcohol create negative consequences, by SGT Eric Glassey, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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