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Flag waving supports anti-drug awareness campaign
A wave of people in red extends down Beach Road on Oct. 20, 2016, in support of drug awareness in the community. (Michael T. Santos)
A flag waving activity was held along Beach Road last Thursday in support of the anti-drug movement in the CNMI. Schools, agencies, and the Department of Public Safety took part in the event.
“We’re so proud to see our young people and children out here with their family members to support the Red Ribbon Campaign during the month of October—a month of commemorating the red ribbon which symbolizes being drug-free,” said Alicia Limtiaco, U.S. Attorney for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
“We have a campaign committee that consists of government agencies, non-profit organizations in our private sector, and we’ve been going out to our schools, public and private, here in the CNMI to talk to kids about the history of the campaign, about DEA special agent Kiki Camarena who dedicated his life to fighting drug trafficking, and how his legacy continues through other outreach programs,” said Limtiaco.
The Red Ribbon Campaign honors the memory of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” S. Camarena, who was kidnaped, tortured, and murdered by drug traffickers in California.
Limtiaco herself recognized Francis Pangelinan from San Vicente School for his dedication to the Red Ribbon Campaign. Pangelinan is a fourth grade teacher who has worked tirelessly to band the students, parents, and faculty staff of his school.
“Right now, with the current rise of drug problems in our community, everyday you open the newspaper and hear something about drugs. The best way for me to avoid stuff like that is to teach kids at a young age the effects of drugs in our community and I’m pretty sure some of them [kids] have seen effects on a daily basis or in the past. What motivates me is to let them know that despite being exposed to drugs so early in their lives, they don’t have to continue down this path.”
Customs officer Ryan B. Kikko said, “We always try to stop illegal drugs from coming in and stuff like that so right now we’re just trying to show the rest of the island that we also support drug awareness activities such as this.”
According to Kikko, DPS received word that the flag waving was going to take place and they took it upon themselves to rally up their officers and participate.
