County Executive Steven Neuhaus signs a Red Ribbon
pledge to fight drug abuse
PORT JERVIS – Orange County launched its Red Ribbon Week at Port
Jervis High School on Monday with students also attending from Chester,
S.S. Seward, Valley Central, Warwick, Pine Bush, James I. O’Neill,
Minisink Valley and Goshen high schools participating.
Red Ribbon Week is a national drug abuse awareness campaign that was created
to memorialize the life of Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, a federal
DEA agent who was kidnapped and killed by drug traffickers in Mexico in
1985. Since then, communities across America have commemorated his life
with special events and by wearing red ribbons from October 23 through
31.
“It is increasingly imperative that we combat drugs in our schools
and our communities,” said County Executive Steven Neuhaus. “The
lives of far too many of our families and friends are being impacted by
drugs. We need to use every tool we possibly can and prevention and awareness
are important first steps.”
Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler, who was also at the Port
Jervis event, said drugs and violence go “hand-in-hand.” He
said both components of the equation must be addressed.
Also in attendance at the Red Ribbon kickoff were Sheriff Carl DuBois,
Port Jervis Mayor Kelly Decker and Deerpark Town Supervisor Gary Spears.
