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			Vote to Be Drug Free! 2008 Red Ribbon Rally Kicks Off at the Alamodome San Antonio Fighting Back, Inc. has hosted a Red Ribbon Rally kick off event every year since 1995. This year they took the fight against drugs to the Alamodome and joined forces with the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD). Together, along with city, county and state representatives they kicked off Red Ribbon Week with a fun filled rally featuring international recording artist Patsy Torres and her Positive Force Tour.

Red Ribbon Week takes place during the last week of October and celebrates the life of Kiki Camarena, a DEA agent, who was kidnapped and murdered in 1985 for his fight against Mexican Drug Barons. The Red Ribbon became the symbol to show intolerance for drugs in our schools, work places, and communities. A short program at the Alamodome was held to discuss the meaning of Red Ribbon Week and commemorate DEA Agent Enrique Camarena. DEA agent, Ms. Deborah Sibila, discussed the importance of the DEA efforts to continue the fight against drugs. Other inspiring speeches were given by State Representatives Ruth Jones McClendon and SAPD Chief of Police William McManus. The event culminated with the students visiting with police officers and touring police & county vehicles on display at the Alamodome grounds.
			Austin, a 5^th grade student from Wetmore Elementary said, “Thank you for getting us the t-shirts, bus, and tacos. We also got to see the S.W.A.T. car and I saw a drug sniffing dog. I can’t wait to continue studying about the government…this was my favorite fieldtrip and I will be Drug Free – I promise.”
	SAPD and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Department came out in full force with the Blue Eagle helicopter, S.W.A.T. vehicles, and patrol cars to show their support. This year’s local participating schools included Bellaire, Hirsch, Roosevelt and Wetmore Elementary as well as Mission Academy. San Antonio Fighting Back, Inc.(SAFB) staff and 218 students, 20 school chaperones, and 7 SAPD Officers also attended this initiative. Students traveled to Austin, TX to rally on the Capitol steps with an additional 800 5^th grade student participants from Pflugerville, New Braunfels, Houston, Dallas, and Austin. In addition, students participated in mock legislation where they wrote and voted on various anti-drug bills. San Antonio’s Roosevelt, Hirsch and Wetmore Elementary student anti-drug bills passed in both the House and Senate Chambers and Bellaire’s passed in the House. “I learned so much!” expressed Charlton from Wetmore Elementary, “It was one of the best experiences in my life.”
			“In fact, this year was deemed to be the best Red Ribbon Rally in Austin’s history”, explained Dawn Mathis, program organizer and DEA representative from Houston, “I agree with Chris and Aaron, Representatives from Sherry Mathews Ad Agency, I think this was our best one yet. I think the theme "Vote to Be Drug Free" was great and putting the t-shirts with the signs at the Rally was just absolutely brilliant. Patsy Torres was great as well as so many other things that just fell into place. I think this is a great committee, and when we all work together it’s amazing to see the finished product.”


		The Vote to Be Drug Free t-shirts worn by the students was given through the generous support from the San Antonio Police Officer’s Association, the Dallas and Houston DEA and the Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas. Arrangements for local students included a roundtrip bus ride from San Antonio to Austin; a tour of the State Capitol; guest speakers to address how the legislative process works; participation in the passing of anti-drug bills on the legislative floor; and a full day of festivities and celebrity guests.

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