Oct. 24, 2007 — Many years ago, a mother was trying to talk her son out of joining the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The young man told her, "I'm only one person, but I want to make a difference."
That was Enrique "Kiki" Camarena. After he was tortured to death by a drug cartel in 1985, his family and friends began to wear red ribbons in honor of his fight against drugs, setting the mark for what has became known as Red Ribbon Week.
The University of the Virgin Islands is observing Red Ribbon Week with a series of activities to encourage drug-free living. Wednesday evening members of the university body and the V.I. community marched in red and came together for "Walk and Speak Out" at the Herman E. Moore golf course.
An open-mic contest was held for people interested in speaking about drugs or alcohol. UVI students shared poems.
"Let us unite, let us live as one and show love to our brothers and sisters, no matter where they are from," said Jaedee Caines, a UVI communications student. "If we come together as one body, we can make a difference and promote upward mobility."
The students spoke about drugs, alcohol and HIV. Matthew Thomas, another student, took a public stance against drug use in his poem entitled "Living a longer day."
New UVI Security Chief Elvin Fahie Sr. was the featured speaker of the evening.
"What can I say that has not already been said?" he said. Fahie talked about the many lasting effects of alcohol and drugs — including prescription drugs — on a person and the people closest to them. Addiction has destroyed not only individual families but the entire nation, he said.
Fahie spoke of many close acquaintances who are addicted to drugs and alcohol.
"I know men who leave from work, stop to the rum shop and that's as far as it goes," he said.
Information on drug and alcohol abuse starts with the family, Fahie said. Before taking his position at the university, he served as deputy police chief of the V.I. Police Department, where he "locked up many children." Many young people die because of incidents related to drug and alcohol use, he said.
Doris Battiste, associate campus administrator, said it's one thing to say no, but people need to take it one step further by "demonstrating taking action against using drugs." She mentioned the relationship of drugs to deaths, including highway deaths, domestic violence and HIV.
"The results are staggering," she said. "We have to speak out."
Prevention of drug use should be incorporated into the curriculum of elementary schools, Battiste said. She directs UVI's HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis and Substance Abuse project.
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