[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 167 (Thursday, October 26, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2049-E2050]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TENTH ANNUAL ANTI-DRUG NATIONAL RED RIBBON WEEK

                                 ______


                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 26, 1995

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I call my colleagues attention to important 
and timely efforts to help bring greater awareness to drug abuse in our 
Nation, through the excellent work of Red Ribbon Awareness campaigns 
across America.
  I am particularly proud of the work the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse 
Council of Orange County, NY, is doing in this vital drug awareness 
program.
  The important and critical efforts surrounding Red Ribbon Activity 
Week in many communities such as in the Mid-Hudson region, are intended 
to curb the use of drugs before it's too late, and future generations 
of Americans are adversely impacted by this deadly and costly scourge. 
These awareness efforts are extremely important, and worthy of our full 
support.
  All across America, communities are tackling this drug abuse problem, 
and trying to raise awareness of the impact of drug abuse on our 
citizens, and especially the young.
  The rise once again of increased drug use, especially among the young 
in grade schools and high schools makes these local community awareness 
efforts, more important than ever, and deserving of our Nation's 
highest attention and support.
  A University of Michigan drug use survey early last year, indicated 
that drug use among the young was making a clear comeback and was once 
again on the rise. The rise in drug use among our young was especially 
sharp as to marijuana use, and sadly also included increase use of 
stimulants, LSD, and inhalants as well.
  The Michigan study went on to find that important attitudes and 
believes about drugs began to soften for the second year in a row among 
grade school children. The study indicates that once these attitudes 
and beliefs as to the dangers associated with drugs and personal 
disapproval change, a critical deterrent has been lost.
  It is evident from these survey results and experience that each new 
generation must learn the hard lessons surrounding drug use and abuse. 
It is best that this learning take place before it's too late, and lost 
lives follow, and future generations are adversely impacted by this 
destructive behavior.
  The costs from this destructive behavior on our society, are 
enormous. Vice President Gore recently put the annual cost from illicit 
drugs on American society at $67 billion. I tend to believe its much 
higher than that figure. However, whatever figure you might use, we all 
know the damage from drug use are enormous in the crime, incarceration, 
lost worker productivity, health care, and other costs associated with 
drug abuse.
  Earlier this year the Congress had former first lady Nancy Reagan, 
who was famous for her very effective ``Just say No'' campaign on drug 
use, testify on this subject. She appeared before the House Committee 
on Government Reform and Oversight on which I am proud to sit. She said 
in very moving and important testimony ``* * * I'm worried that this 
nation is forgetting how endangered our children are by drugs.''
  As the earlier study I cited on rising teen drug use makes clear, the 
former First Lady was right on the money, and she voiced the concerns 
that many of us have today on the problem of drug use among the young.
  In moving and powerful testimony Mrs. Reagan went on to say:

       With my own eyes, I've seen the human destruction drugs can 
     cause. During my eight years as First Lady, I travelled 
     hundreds of miles around this country and the world meeting 
     with young people, listening to the heartbreaking stories of 
     what drugs did to their lives. That suffering is something I 
     can never forget.

  Let us all never forget the suffering which Mrs. Reagan so eloquently 
recounted, and together with Red Ribbon Campaigns for A Drug-Free 
America all across this Nation, work together to help ensure further 
suffering is not needlessly repeated across our land.
  This year, seven counties in the Mid-Hudson region of New York came 
together to commemorate Red Ribbon Week, October 21-31, with the theme 
of ``Be Healthy and Drug Free!'' The Red Ribbon activities were kicked 
off by the annual Run/Walk Against Drugs in Newbough, NY, on Saturday 
morning, October 21. This event was followed by a red ribbon caravan 
across the Hudson, in which citizens from throughout Southeastern New 
York drove across the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge in automobiles marked with 
large red bows on the antennas, to join in a drug-free riverfront 
festival in Beacon. Participants from Orange, Rockland, Sullivan, 
Westchester, Dutchess, Putnam, and Ulster Counties came together to 
make these events on Saturday, October 21, truly memorable.
  Two of my constituents, Joan Fawley, a senior at Goshen High School, 
and Alma Buffoe, a seventh grader at Greenwood Lake Middle School, 
delivered remarks which inspired all of those in attendance.
  Between now and the conclusion of Red Ribbon Week of October 31--a 
week so big it needs 10 days--many other activities are planned by our 
Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Council in Orange County, including pledge 
and sign up day, rally day, rap about day, a sports weekend, and, 
finally, just say boo to drugs day on Halloween.
  Mr. Speaker, the enthusiasm of all the participants in Red Ribbon 
Week remind us all that substance abuse remains America's No. 1 enemy. 
I am pleased that our colleagues (Mr. Zeliff and Mr. Rangel) are 
organizing a bi-partisan drug policy group, and I urge all of our 
colleagues to join with us in this most worthwhile endeavor.
  This year, seven counties in the Mid-Hudson region of New York came 
together to 

[[Page E2050]]
commemorate Red Ribbon Week, October 21-31, with the theme of ``Be 
Healthy and Drug Free!'' Some of the red ribbon activities include the 
annual Run/Walk Against Drugs in Newburgh, NY, a Red Ribbon Caravan 
Across the Hudson, in which citizens from throughout Southeastern New 
York will drive across the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge in automobiles marked 
with large red bows on the antennas, to join in a Drug-Free Riverfront 
Festival and ribbon-tying ceremony in Beacon, and the highly successful 
Red Ribbon Auto Rally coordinated by Lenny Rifkin each year in Goshen, 
NY. Lenny is the regional coordinator of DARE [Drug Abuse Resistance 
Education] and this auto rally raises money annually to conduct the 
many antinarcotics activities of DARE.
  Participants from Orange, Rockland, Sullivan, Westchester, Dutchess, 
Putnam, and Ulster Counties will come together to make all of these 
events not only memorable but also inspirational.
  Two of my constituents, Joan Fawley, a senior at Goshen High School, 
and Alma Buffoe, a seventh grader at Greenwood Lake Middle School, have 
been chosen to deliver remarks giving young people's perspective on the 
topic of substance abuse.
  Between now and the conclusion of Red Ribbon Week on October 31--a 
week so big it needs 10 days--many other activities are planned by our 
Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Council in Orange County, including pledge 
and sign up day, rally day, rap about day, a sports weekend, and, 
finally, just say boo to drugs day on Halloween.
  Mr. Speaker, the enthusiasm of all the participants in Red Ribbon 
Week reminds us all that substance abuse remains America's No. 1 enemy. 
I am pleased that our colleagues) Mr. Zeliff and Rangel--are organizing 
a bi-partisan drug policy group, and I urge all of our colleagues to 
join with us in this most worthwhile endeavor.

                          ____________________