Just as the sun was setting Monday evening, marchers were out in full force on Palm Drive to highlight Red Ribbon Week, focused on preventing drug abuse in the territory. This is the fifth year the national event has been marked at UVI’s St. Croix campus, where the V.I. Police Department’s K-9 Unit put on quite a show.
Six dogs, including shepherds and shepherd mixes, and their handlers showed what they are made of—searching for and finding planted marijuana and apprehending "Ombassa," a fictitious criminal played playing by a VIPD officer.
The dogs are trained to find drugs, apprehend suspects, detect bombs and search for cadavers. Officer Julio Mendez said the dogs are not pets, they are working dogs.
“This was highly entertaining,” said UVI freshman Antonio Farchette. “The dogs are impressive and doing a good job.”
Red Ribbon week began after the 1985 kidnapping, torture and murder of Drug Enforcement Administration Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who had been working undercover in Guadalajara, Mexico. Citizens in his hometown started wearing red ribbons in his honor.
In 1988 the first national Red Ribbon Week was proclaimed by Congress and chaired by Nancy Reagan. The red ribbon became a symbol to reduce the demand for drugs through prevention and education programs.
The St. Croix Central High School Carib Divas dance squad led the march along the drive, lined with royal palms tied with red and white balloons. The Carib Twirlers majorettes, dressed in red spandex and sequins, followed. The Caribs marching band brought up the rear playing and executing some fancy moves.
The Central majorettes, dance squad and the UVI Dance Squad put on a performance for more than 100 attendees at the cafetorium.
The UVI Health Services Department coordinates and sponsors the events for the week, which includes numerous activities on the St. Croix campus.
Irene Sealey, administrative assistant for Health Services, said the week’s events are for the whole community, and she encourages people to come and donate blood.
On Tuesday there will be a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. outside the Student Activity Center. A Health Services open house is slated for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. HIV testing is scheduled at the Health Services Center in the Great House from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
On Wednesday, Red Ribbon Week Jeopardy will be hosted by David Capriola in the cafetorium from 12:15 p.m. to 12:50 p.m., and another blood drive will be conducted outside the Student Activity Center from 3 to 6 p.m.
On Friday, a door-decorating contest is scheduled.
