US Army in Japan wraps up Red Ribbon week by urging youths to opt for smart, healthy, drug-free life

CAMP ZAMA, Japan - The U.S. Army in Japan community wrapped up another successful Red Ribbon Week with senior leaders speaking directly to community youths Nov. 1 about the importance of living drug-free lives.

Red Ribbon Week is the longest and largest anti-drug campaign in the country and its goal is simple: to educate youths on the dangers and negative side effects of drugs. This year's Red Ribbon Week theme was "Life Is a Movie, Film Drug-Free."

Organizers closed out the week by hosting a few final events on both Camp Zama and the Sagamihara Family Housing Area, including military working dog demonstrations at Zama Middle High School and an anti-drug skit at the Youth Center.

Zama Middle High School's principal, James Rippard, volunteered to assist the 901st Military Police Detachment with the military working dog demonstration. Rippard donned a padded training suit, and to the cheers of the students, attempted to run away from the working dogs, which quickly caught and detained the principal.

Later that day, U.S. Army Garrison Japan's senior enlisted adviser, Command Sgt. Maj. David Rio, spoke to children at the School Age Center on SFHA.

Rio reminded the children that they are the directors of their own lives.

"'Life Is a Movie, Film Drug Free' means you have the power to make good choices and create the best version of your story," he said. "Keep making smart choices, support your friends, and remember that we're all here to help you along the way."

During the final event of the week, USAG Japan Commander Col. Marcus Hunter visited the Camp Zama Youth Center and watched a skit performed by members of the Torch Club, a Boys and Girls Clubs of America initiative aimed at helping nurture and develop teen leadership skills.

Hunter thanked the club members for their hard work and dedication and for working to create the skit for their fellow teens.

"In the Torch Club, you guys are holding up a torch, which is your example for other people to see and be able to follow," he said. "If they're in darkness, they can see your good example and follow you."

He also spoke about the meaning of this year's theme and how youth will ultimately make important decisions on their own futures.

"The idea is to pick a great story," he said. "Pick a great movie, and in doing that, you think long-term … 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' All these decisions you're making throughout your life, and every day now, send you in that direction."

Maria N. Ortiz, a USAG Japan risk reduction program coordinator, said she believed this year's Red Ribbon Week was very successful, as the Army Substance Abuse Program saw active participation from elementary, middle and high school students and multiple community partners.

She thanked Army Community Service, Child and Youth Services and Department of Defense Education Activity staffers for their enthusiasm, ideas and help during the entire week of the campaign "to bring the message for every youth in our community."

Ortiz also stressed the importance of putting a year-round focus on urging youths to make smart and healthy choices.

"As parents, employees, service members - all of us have the responsibility to teach our youth generation to avoid drugs," she said. "I encourage everyone who has youth[s] in their house to have these hard conversations about drugs and drinking underage. We are our kids' role models, and prevention starts with us."

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