By YM/Pvt Nicholas Allen Southern Maryland (MD) When my Unit Commander asked me to write an article on my Red Ribbon Week experience, I was nervous, but then I realized that Red Ribbon Week is very important to me and that I would just write about my feelings. The reason why we celebrate Red Ribbon Week (or RRW) is to honor En- rique “Kiki” Camarena. Camarena was a DEA agent who was murdered when he was working against a major drug op- eration in Mexico. He was kidnapped, tortured and killed. I learned that Red Ribbon Week is a time for the Young Marines to tell others how to live a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. I’ve also learned more about some ways that I can stay away from drugs and remain drug-free. The reason that I don’t want to do drugs is that drug abuse can do terrible things to your body inside and out. It can truly change your life forever. In our unit, the Registered Adults and our senior Young Marines stress the importance of living drug-free throughout the year. Red Ribbon Week gives us an opportunity to reach out to our communities with the information that we learn in classes, presentations, and with Project Alert to educate peo- ple about the dangers of drug abuse. The most important thing we can do in the Young Marines is set an example. Studying Drug Demand Reduction and participating in Red Ribbon Week are ways that we do that. During Red Rib- bon Week,our unit participated in many of events, and we encouraged people to sign drug-free pledges.At one event, more than 600 people signed these pledges! It was harder than I thought to approach people and speak to them about Drug Demand Reduction, but I gained confidence during the week. I am looking forward to participating in Red Ribbon Week again next year and getting even more people to sign drug- free pledges! Red Ribbon Week: It’s Something That’s Important to Me Teamwork! YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE 15 The North San Diego (CA) Young Marines sent us this photo group photo wearing their Red Cord bracelets. Thank you, North San Diego! The most important thing we can do in the Young Marines is set an example. YM/Pvt Nicholas Allen Teamwork!