For more than 20 years, the wearing of red ribbons during the last week of October has come to symbolize the fight for a drug-free America.

“This is our premier event for awareness and prevention of drug abuse,” said Michael Reed, employee assistance program coordinator and prevention coordinator.

Much of the focus will be at Freedom Park Elementary School; however, there will be reminders of the week and its drug-free message throughout the installation. Displays will be set-up during the week at the Commissary, PX and at Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center.

Freedom Park Elementary School will have events throughout the week of Oct. 26- 30. Reed will address the student population on Oct. 26.

On Oct. 27, the pre-kindergarteners, kindergarteners and first graders will “color their world drug-free” and participate in crazy sock day. Second through fifth graders will decorate their doors on Oct. 28. Sixth through eighth graders will write poems and/or rap songs on Oct. 29.

On Oct. 30, the entire student body will wear camouflage.

Reed said over the past few years, drug addiction has taken a different look.

“Between the ages of 12 and 17, prescription drug abuse is quickly overtaking pot as the drug of choice,” he said.

Easy access to prescription drugs, as well as the fact that raiding the medicine cabinet doesn’t require cash, is among the reasons prescription drug abuse is on the rise, he said.

Reed suggests locking up prescription drugs and discarding medication that is no longer needed as precautions. Also, you may not have any prescription medication in your home, but neighbors might.

Red Ribbon Week began to honor Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who was killed in March 1985 while working undercover in Mexico to investigate a major drug cartel believed to include officers in the Mexican army, police and government.If you, a co-worker, or a Family member needs help with a substance abuse issue, or other issues that are non-clinical in nature and can be dealt with by brief counseling, the Fort Gordon Employee Assistance Program can help. The following resources are free of charge and available to all employees:

The Fort Gordon Employee Assistance Program, a confidential counseling and referral resource:

Website: http://www.gordon.army.mil/dhr/ALDrug/Default.html. Phone: 791- 5797, located at Fort Gordon ASAP, 202 7th Ave., Bldg. 38702.

Fort Gordon ASAP, Employee Assistance Program Coordinator, contact info: Michael Reed, 791-5797, Michael.alvin.reed@us.army.mil.

Displays to provide information on the Fort Gordon Employee Assistance Program will be set up at the Commissary on Oct. 27, Post Exchange on Oct. 28 and the Eisenhower Army Medical Center on Oct. 29, 2009.

For additional information about Drug-Free Work Week, visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website at http://workplace.samhsa.gov/ FedPgms/Fed_DFWP.aspx or the Department of Labor’s Drug-Free Work Week information at www.dol.gov.workingpartners.welcome.html.