(WHITE TWP.) – Seeking to promote a drug-free New Jersey, the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders have declared this to be “Red Ribbon Week.”

The Red Ribbon Campaign’s goal is to promote family and individual responsibility for living a healthy, drug-free lifestyle without use of illegal drugs or the abuse of legal ones, said Freeholder Director John DiMaio.

“It starts at home, folks,” DiMaio remarked. “We have to make sure to keep an eye on our kids at home, and as a society we have to help each other out in that regard.”

Each October, a week is set aside to honor the memory of Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique Camarena, who was assassinated by a drug cartel in Mexico in 1985. The week also honors the agency staff of various Warren County providers who work to prevent the abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. This year, Red Ribbon Week is commemorated from Oct. 21-27 in Warren County.

Drugs are pervasive in our society, Freeholder Richard D. Gardner said, noting, “There has to be a dedication on the part of federal, state and local officials” to fight drug abuse, with a commitment to fight “for as long as it takes.”

With so many different types of crime stemming from drug use, Gardner said Warren County is fortunate that its prosecutor’s office and local police agencies all are watchful for illicit drug activity.

“I don’t think there’s anything more important than fighting drugs in our society,” Freeholder Everett A. Chamberlain said.

“It seems like it’s a never-ending battle,” Chamberlain added, noting, “I don’t feel like at this point we’re any closer to winning that battle than we were maybe 15, 20 years ago, but the thing is, we have to keep fighting. So anything we can do to help in that fight to prevent drug abuse is well worth the effort.”

Shawn Buskirk, Deputy Director in the Warren County Human Services Department’s Division of Administration, accepted the Red Ribbon Week proclamation from the freeholders and thanked them for supporting the work of the agencies involved in drug abuse education, treatment and prevention.

“To do this each year is a big thing,” DiMaio said of the freeholder board’s action to proclaim Red Ribbon Week. Speaking of drug abuse, DiMaio noted, “If we lose one child as a result of this, it’s one child too many. This is the least we could do.”

WHEREAS, on behalf of the citizens of Warren County, New Jersey, the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to celebrate the week of October 21 through October 27, 2008 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 bringing together municipalities, organizations, businesses, faith-based organizations, groups and individuals; and

WHEREAS, dedication and continued commitment to providing community-based drug and alcohol education and prevention programs are imperative; 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

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.

John DiMaio, Director                        
Richard D. Gardner, Deputy Director
Everett A. Chamberlain, Freeholder