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CATS Staff
Sue Centner
Director
Paula Galvin, M.Ed.
Assistant Director
Kaitlyn Clarke,
Youth Coordinator
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Community Alliance for Teen Safety is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Our mission is to promote safe habits for all youth by increasing awareness of high-risk behaviors, encouraging healthy choices, and fostering community alliances.
www.catsnh.org
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October 2011
Dear Friend of the CATS Community,
This month welcomes the return of the national prescription drug take-back day. Scheduled to coincide with Red Ribbon Week, people all across the country will be able to safely and securely dispose of expired or unwanted medications on Saturday, October 29th. Sadly, a story in this week's news reminds us of the importance of safely storing or disposing of medications in the home. A 13-month old boy in New York accessed a prescription bottle, swallowed the contents, and died. The Derry Police will once again host this event at Hood Commons. Look for the Mobile Command Center near the Crystal Avenue entrance. Visit www.dea.gov to search their database for other locations.
CATS youth members look forward to conducting Red Ribbon Week activities at the Derry Boys and Girls Club, and students at Hood Middle School. Look for coverage of their activities in next month's newsletter! Scroll down to read about the history of Red Ribbon Week. Visit the CATS website to learn more about youth activities.
Thank you for your continued interest in and support for CATS. Please contact us if you have questions or would like to get involved. We welcome your calls, emails, questions and concerns.
Stay informed and stay active!
Best regards,
Sue Centner, Director
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Save the Date! 3rd DEA National Rx Take Back
Saturday, October 29, 2011
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Derry - Hood Commons
 This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are increasing at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away - both potential safety and health hazards.
Collection sites can be found by going to the link found at www.DEA.gov. This site will be continuously updated with new take-back locations. You can help make this event a success by sharing information about the program with your membership, partner organizations, and others who are concerned about prescription drug abuse. In addition, anyone interested in helping to have a take back event in their community are encouraged to contact their local police or sheriff's office, or by calling the appropriate DEA Field Office.
 The Derry Police Department is participating! Look for the Mobile Command Center at Hood Commons.
Saturday, October 29th
10AM to 2PM |
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 Red Ribbon Week is October 23 to 31
Red Ribbon Week is the nation's oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation reaching millions of Americans during the last week of October every year. By wearing red ribbons and participating in community anti-drug events, young people pledge to live a drug-free life and pay tribute to DEA Special Agent Enriqué "Kiki" Camarena.
Special Agent Kiki Camarena
Special Agent Camarena was an 11-year veteran of the DEA assigned to the Guadalajara, Mexico, office where he was on the trail of the country's biggest marijuana and cocaine traffickers. In 1985, he was extremely close to unlocking a multi-billion dollar drug pipeline.
On February 7, 1985, he was kidnapped, brutally tortured, and murdered by Mexican drug traffickers. His tragic death opened the eyes of many Americans to the dangers of drugs and the international scope of the drug trade.
History of Red Ribbon Week
Shortly after Kiki's death, Congressman Duncan Hunter and Kiki's high school friend Henry Lozano launched "Camarena Clubs" in Kiki's hometown of Calexico, California. Hundreds of club members pledged to lead drug-free lives to honor the sacrifice made by Kiki Camarena.
These pledges were delivered to First Lady Nancy Reagan at a national conference of parents combating youth drug use. Several state parent organizations then called on community groups to wear red ribbons during the last week of October as a symbol of their drug-free commitment.
- The first Red Ribbon Week celebrations were held in La Mirada and Norwalk, California.
- In 1988, the National Family Partnership (NFP) coordinated the first National Red Ribbon Week with President and Mrs. Reagan serving as honorary chairpersons.
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| A Comprehensive Approach to Drug Prevention
Office of National Drug Control Policy
Research shows preventing drug use before it begins is the most cost-effective, common-sense approach to promoting safe and healthy communities. Prevention results in better academic performance among teens who don't use drugs, fewer auto accidents from reduced drugged driving, and more productive workplaces due to lower absenteeism. Preventing drug use also lowers HIV-transmission rates due to decreased injection drug use, creates safer home environments for children previously considered drug-endangered, and revitalizes neighborhoods due to coalition-based efforts. Put simply, drug prevention saves lives and cuts costs. Read more about prevention in the National Strategy.
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