For Immediate Release
October 19, 2006

Contact: Howard Sutter
 (714) 834-2178

Countywide Effort to Promote Red Ribbon Campaign

(Santa Ana) – October 22nd-28th is Red Ribbon Week in Orange County, an important tradition for the drug prevention community with a primary mission to promote drug free youth and communities while reducing the demand for illegal drugs and illegal use of legal drugs.

Red Ribbon Week kicks-off with a “Celebration of Red Ribbon: 100% Me Drug Free” event on Sunday, October 22 at Centennial Park in Santa Ana, from 12-4 pm. The event is one way the Health Care Agency’s Alcohol and Drug Education and Prevention Team (ADEPT) is partnering with the Prevention Coalition of Orange County to address alcohol and other drug (AOD) issues in our communities. Other efforts include fostering collaboration between schools and communities via the Prevention Coalition of Orange County, and conducting year-round campaigns that promote and facilitate reduction of alcohol and other drug problems via town hall meetings, trainings and providing technical support to schools and communities.

Recent surveys provide important information about alcohol and drug use among Orange County youth.

• Among Orange County 11th graders who report using substances, alcohol is the most frequently used substance (35%), followed by marijuana (14%). (Orange County Healthy Kids Survey 2005-06)
• By 11th grade, binge drinking is the predominant way that alcohol is consumed. (2003/2004 California Student Survey)
• 54% of 11th graders report they do not use any alcohol and drugs. (Orange County Healthy Kids Survey 2005-06)

For more information on the Red Ribbon campaign, contact Marilyn Pritchard of ADEPT at (714) 834-3547, or visit the ADEPT website at www.ochealthinfo.com/adept.

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