Saturday, February 4, 2012
HISTORY OF THE RED RIBBON CAMPAIGN
Enrique (Kiki) Camarena was a Drug Enforcement Administration Agent who was tortured and killed in Mexico in 1985. Camarena worked his way through college, served in the Marines and became a police officer. When he decided to join the US Drug Enforcement Administration, his mother tried to talk him out of it. "I'm only one person", he told her, "but I want to make a difference."
The DEA sent Camarena to work undercover in Mexico, investigating a major drug cartel believed to include officers in the Mexican army, police and government. On Feb. 7, 1985, the 37-year-old Camarena left his office to meet his wife for lunch. Five men appeared at the agent's side and shoved him in a car. One month later, Camarena's body was found. He had been tortured to death.
In honor of Camarena's memory and his battle against illegal drugs, friends and neighbors began to wear red badges of satin. Parents, sick of the destruction of alcohol and other drugs, had begun forming coalitions. Some of these new coalitions took Camarena as their model and embraced his belief that one person can make a difference. These coalitions also adopted the symbol of Camarena's memory, the red ribbon.
The National Family Partnership organized the first Nationwide Red Ribbon Campaign. Since that time, the campaign has reached millions of U.S. children and families. The National Family Partnership (NFP) and its network of individuals and organizations continue to deliver his message of hope to millions of people every year, through the National Red Ribbon Campaign.
PILL DRAGON
In cooperation with PRIDE and the Kentucky Army National Guard, UNITE works with local coalitions and law enforcement agencies to provide this free service to citizens. See schedule below.
The Pill Dragon, on permanent loan from the National Guard, made its debut on August 6, 2010. The incinerators will help families, rural law enforcement agencies, pharmacies, hospitals, veterinary clinics, nursing homes, Hospice centers and others dispose of medications in an environmentally friendly fashion.
Through November 17, 2011, UNITE’s Pill Dragon has destroyed 761,034 pills.
To view photos from some of the Pill Dragon events Click Here.
Powered by diesel fuel, the dragon burns at up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit to safely and efficiently reduce medications to ash for disposal.
For years the generally accepted method for disposing of old or left over medications was to flush it down the toilet. This practice, however, has been strongly discouraged for the past decade because of concerns about the potential health and environmental effects of antibiotics, hormones, painkillers, depressants and stimulants making their way into our water system and soil.
MONITOR prescription drugs in your home.
SECURE prescriptions in a locked storage area.
DISPOSE of unneeded prescription drugs.
• Download 2-page “Medication Disposal Safety Tips” from the Veteran’s Administration. Click here 
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• Download 2-page “How to Dispose of Unused Medicines” from the Food and Drug Administration. Click here.
.• Download 2-page “How to Dispose of Unused Medicines” from the Food and Drug Administration. Click here
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Another troubling fact is that more than 90 percent of teens that try prescription drugs the first time turn to the family medicine cabinet or from a friend’s family member. The most recent Monitoring the Future study found that seven of the top 10 drugs being abused by high school seniors are legal prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Teens believe that because drugs are prescribed they are safe, but that is true only when taken according to directions and only by the person to whom the drugs were prescribed. Aside from the fact that taking or giving away medicine that is not prescribed to you is illegal, even at small doses the potential exists for serious health effects – including death.
Having extra medicine at your house places you at greater risk of being the victim of a burglary or theft.
Feeding Schedule
To schedule the Pill Dragon for a “Clean Your Medicine Cabinet Out Day” or similar pill take-back program in your community call 1-866-678-6483.
National Drug Abuse Summit Orlando Florida
This inaugural, must-attend National Rx Drug Abuse Summit, April 10-12, 2012, is unlike any other national conference, bringing all impacted parties together to address the prescription drug abuse epidemic. Conference programming is designed to convey a synergistic approach to include: prevention, education, treatment, law enforcement, health care providers, advocates, and human resources – among other impacted parties.
Diversion of prescription medications from their legitimate medical uses has become an epidemic that requires a coordinated national effort to find data-driven solutions. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn from state and national leaders, law enforcement officials, medical professionals, community advocates, treatment experts, educators, private industry leaders, and others who are finding success in battling this epidemic. In addition, the event is intended to foster better understanding and cooperation between all groups and how that cooperation can lead to successful outcomes. Conference programming features breakout sessions impacting law enforcement, trent, health care, advocacy and prevention.
“We cannot afford to ignore the fast-growing drug problem in America. It impacts everything from medical expenses to workforce viability and it requires a multi-faceted approach with support, from not only state and national leaders, but also leaders on the ground in our rural and urban communities. This first of its kind Summit will get all parties together to address this issue.”
Congressman Hal Rogers, Chair, House Appropriations Committee
Your peers at this Summit will come from:
- Federal and state legislators and policy makers
- Federal and state executive leaders
- Healthcare practitioners with prescription privileges
- Certified substance abuse counselors and recovery specialists
- Law enforcement personnel
- Treatment facility managers
- Advocates, families, and patients working to increase awareness and effect change
- Pharmaceutical executives
- Prominent academicians and researchers
- Government officials tasked with regulatory oversight
- Insurance payers and benefits managers
- Suppliers of prescription monitoring technologies
Your presence at this national Summit signifies a firm commitment to meaningful dialogue and cooperation in addressing the prescription drug abuse epidemic in our country. Through this type of collaboration, our work can be more impactful. We look forward to seeing you in Orlando!
National Advisory Board
Operation UNITE has formed a National Advisory Board to guide program development and conference offerings and has partnered with Inquisit, a division of Amerinet, to identify, design and deliver cutting-edge continuing education programs for conference attendees.
Agenda & Workshops
For more information contact Cathy Lenox at summit@centertech.com or 1-866-678-6483.atme
About PRO-A
Pennsylvania Recovery Organizations Alliance, Inc.
Mission:
The Pennsylvania Recovery Organizations Alliance will mobilize, educate and advocate to eliminate the stigma and discrimination toward those affected by alcoholism and other drug addiction to ensure hope, health and justice for individuals, families and those in recovery.
The Pennsylvania Recovery Organizations Alliance will mobilize, educate and advocate to eliminate the stigma and discrimination toward those affected by alcoholism and other drug addiction to ensure hope, health and justice for individuals, families and those in recovery.
Vision:
As the statewide leader, PRO-A’s vision is a Pennsylvania where:
- Alcohol and other drug addiction is accepted as a treatable disease;
- Recovery is known as a gift back to society through personal, family and community healing;
- Recovering individuals and their families have a respected voice in setting public policy;
- Early and effective prevention exists to reduce the onset of this disease;
- Quality intervention, treatment and on-going support are readily available for individuals, families and those in recovery.
As the statewide leader, PRO-A’s vision is a Pennsylvania where:
- Alcohol and other drug addiction is accepted as a treatable disease;
- Recovery is known as a gift back to society through personal, family and community healing;
- Recovering individuals and their families have a respected voice in setting public policy;
- Early and effective prevention exists to reduce the onset of this disease;
- Quality intervention, treatment and on-going support are readily available for individuals, families and those in recovery.
Goals of PRO-A:
The Board of Directors and staff of PRO-A have developed the following goals pursuant to our agency mission and objectives.
The Board of Directors and staff of PRO-A have developed the following goals pursuant to our agency mission and objectives.
Goal # 1 – Build the capacity of the organizations to participate in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of addiction treatment policies, systems, and service for youth and adults so that they become more responsive to the needs of recovering people and their families.
Goal #2 – Improve public understanding of addiction and recovery, including the elimination of stigma and discrimination faced by those with substance use disorders.
Goal #3 – Improve public access to effective addiction treatment services, appropriate lengths of stay and continuing care support for youth and adults.
Goal #4 – Ensure long-term sustainability and development of organization by effectively utilizing resources and diversifying funding sources.
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