[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 154 (Thursday, October 31, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S7732]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

 SENATE RESOLUTION 279--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF RED RIBBON 
     WEEK DURING THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 23 THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 2013

  Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 279

       Whereas the Red Ribbon Campaign was started to commemorate 
     the service of Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena, an 11-year special 
     agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration who was murdered 
     in the line of duty in 1985 while engaged in the battle 
     against illicit drugs;
       Whereas the Red Ribbon Campaign has been nationally 
     recognized since 1988 to preserve the memory of Special Agent 
     Camarena and further the cause for which he gave his life;
       Whereas the Red Ribbon Campaign is the oldest and largest 
     drug prevention awareness program in the United States, 
     reaching millions of young people each year during Red Ribbon 
     Week;
       Whereas the Drug Enforcement Administration has been 
     committed throughout its 40-year history to aggressively 
     targeting organizations involved in the growing, 
     manufacturing, and distribution of controlled substances and 
     has been a steadfast partner in commemorating Red Ribbon 
     Week;
       Whereas State Governors and attorney generals, the National 
     Family Partnership, parent teacher associations, Boys and 
     Girls Clubs of America, Young Marines, the Drug Enforcement 
     Administration, and hundreds of other organizations 
     throughout the United States annually celebrate Red Ribbon 
     Week during the period of October 23 through October 31;
       Whereas the objective of Red Ribbon Week is to promote the 
     creation of drug-free communities through drug prevention 
     efforts, education programs, parental involvement, and 
     community-wide support;
       Whereas, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and 
     Health, in 2012 an estimated 23,900,000 Americans, or 9.2 
     percent of the population aged 12 and older, used illicit 
     drugs;
       Whereas drug abuse is 1 of the major challenges to securing 
     a safe and healthy future for people and families in the 
     United States;
       Whereas drug abuse and alcohol abuse contribute to domestic 
     violence and sexual assault and place children at risk;
       Whereas, although public awareness of illicit drug use is 
     increasing, emerging drug threats and growing epidemics 
     demand attention, with particular focus on synthetic drugs 
     and the nonmedical use of prescription drugs, the second most 
     abused drug by young people in the United States;
       Whereas, the majority of teenagers abusing prescription 
     drugs get the drugs from family, friends, and the home 
     medicine cabinet;
       Whereas the Drug Enforcement Administration will host a 
     National Take Back Day on October 26, 2013, for the public to 
     safely dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs that 
     can lead to accidental poisoning, overdose, and abuse;
       Whereas synthetic drugs, including those popularly known as 
     ``K2'' or ``Spice'', have acknowledged dangerous health 
     effects and have become especially popular among teens and 
     young adults;
       Whereas in 2012, poison centers across the United States 
     responded to approximately 5205 calls related to synthetic 
     drugs;
       Whereas 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data 
     revealed that heroin use doubled between 2007 and 2011 and in 
     2012 there were 669,000 heroin users compared to 373,000 in 
     2007;
       Whereas 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data 
     revealed a 50 percent increase in daily marijuana use among 
     individuals aged 12 and over and a 25 percent increase in 
     marijuana use by the general population; and
       Whereas parents, young people, schools, businesses, law 
     enforcement agencies, religious institutions and faith-based 
     organizations, service organizations, senior citizens, 
     medical and military personnel, sports teams, and individuals 
     throughout the United States will demonstrate their 
     commitment to healthy, productive, and drug-free lifestyles 
     by wearing and displaying red ribbons during this week-long 
     celebration: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week during 
     the period of October 23 through October 31, 2013;
       (2) encourages children, teens, and other individuals to 
     choose to live drug-free lives; and
       (3) encourages the people of the United States to promote 
     the creation of drug-free communities and to participate in 
     drug prevention activities to show support for healthy, 
     productive, and drug-free lifestyles.

                          ____________________