Drug Free Moore County will hold a series of events Monday to kick off Red Ribbon Week.

Henry Lozano, director of the USA Freedom Corps, Office of the President of the United States, will participate in the various events.

Drug Free Moore County is a coalition of agencies and organizations working to create awareness of the need for substance abuse prevention efforts in the home, school, and community.

Red Ribbon Week was organized after the death of Drug Enforcement Administration agent Kiki Camarena, who was Lozano's best friend.

More than 80 million young Americans and adults annually show their commitment to a healthy, drug-free life by wearing or displaying the Red Ribbon symbol. Dating back 30 years, various national organizations and agencies have provided leadership to local groups.

Drug Free Moore County, one of thousands of coalition partnerships across the country, that is made up of residents, agencies and substance abuse programs working together to bring attention to this issue.

In Guadalajara, Mexico, Enrique "Kiki" Camarena left his office to meet his wife for lunch but unsuspectingly, he crossed the street to his pickup truck and was shoved into a waiting car. Despite this murder, his heroism is remembered in this annual commemoration of the celebration of life without the dependence on illegal drugs and alcohol. He grew up in a house with a dirt floor with dreams of serving humanity and to improve the lives of his fellow Mexican-Americans.

Since families form the core of substance abuse prevention among youth, Red Ribbon Week is an opportunity to spotlight Moore County's coalition efforts to prevent problems before they occur.

Schools, community institutions, and religious congregations work together closely to strengthen efforts to reaffirm that drug use is unacceptable in Moore County. Red Ribbon Week helps to remind communities that just as Kiki Camarena serves as a heroic role model, every single person can make a difference.

The kickoff program will be held at 6 p.m. Monday in Owens Auditorium at Sandhills Community College.

Pizza will be served after the program.

Sal DiBianca, director of Teen Challenge, has organized a series of high-energy performances in various Moore County schools for 2008 Red Ribbon Week. More information is available on its Web site at http://www.drugfree mc.com for further information.

Jim Miles is President of Drug Free Moore County.