The 2016 Red Ribbon Rivalry is this month. It’s sponsored by Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention of Anderson County, or ASAP.
This year, in Anderson County, ASAP is holding the Red Ribbon Rivalry during the month of January, culminating on Sunday, January 31. The main goal is to raise funds to prevent and reduce substance abuse here in Anderson County.
Local businesses are competing against each other by selling red ribbons for a $1 donation and displaying them in their businesses to show support for substance abuse prevention. The winning businesses and employees will receive recognition for their efforts as well as individual prizes for the top sales associates. Anderson County High School, Clinton High School, and Oak Ridge High School are also competing this year to see who will be the recipient of the Red Ribbon Rivalry trophy to be displayed at their school for the year.
It has been determined through a lengthy benefit-cost analysis that every $1 dollar invested in prevention at the local level here in Anderson County yields approximately $17.47 savings in healthcare costs, criminal and juvenile justice costs, educational costs, etc., a press release said.
“This year, we are hoping for even more community participation in the Red Ribbon Rivalry,” the press release said. “Clinton has maintained their winning streak since the beginning of the contest in 2012, but ACHS and ORHS students have been making a plan for victory.”
Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention recognition week.
By participating in community events and raising awareness for drug prevention, ASAP and Anderson County pay tribute to U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. Camarena was an 11-year veteran of the DEA assigned to Guadalajara, Mexico. He was responsible for trailing the country’s biggest marijuana and cocaine traffickers. In 1985, he came extremely close to unlocking the mystery of a multi-billion-dollar drug pipeline. Prior to the unfolding of his case, he was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered by Mexican drug traffickers. His death is said to be the eye-opener for Americans to the international scope and dangers of the drug trade.
To buy a ribbon, you can visit Git-N-Go, ACE Hardware, Countryside Tire and Auto Service, Smart Cutz, Secret City Pies, Coal Creek Smokehouse, Hoskins Drug Store, Say Ow Tattoo, or a ASAP Youth Coalition member at Anderson County, Clinton High School, or Oak Ridge High School. For more information about the Red Ribbon Rivalry, go to www.ASAPofAnderson.org/red-ribbon-rivary-sponsorships/ and buy a virtual ribbon to support either ACHS, CHS, or ORHS.
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