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[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 279 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

113th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 279

Supporting the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week during the period of 
                  October 23 through October 31, 2013.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 31, 2013

Ms. Murkowski (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 
                          Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
Supporting the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week during the period of 
                  October 23 through October 31, 2013.

Whereas the Red Ribbon Campaign was started to commemorate the service of 
        Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena, an 11-year special agent of the Drug 
        Enforcement Administration who was murdered in the line of duty in 1985 
        while engaged in the battle against illicit drugs;
Whereas the Red Ribbon Campaign has been nationally recognized since 1988 to 
        preserve the memory of Special Agent Camarena and further the cause for 
        which he gave his life;
Whereas the Red Ribbon Campaign is the oldest and largest drug prevention 
        awareness program in the United States, reaching millions of young 
        people each year during Red Ribbon Week;
Whereas the Drug Enforcement Administration has been committed throughout its 
        40-year history to aggressively targeting organizations involved in the 
        growing, manufacturing, and distribution of controlled substances and 
        has been a steadfast partner in commemorating Red Ribbon Week;
Whereas State Governors and attorney generals, the National Family Partnership, 
        parent teacher associations, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Young 
        Marines, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and hundreds of other 
        organizations throughout the United States annually celebrate Red Ribbon 
        Week during the period of October 23 through October 31;
Whereas the objective of Red Ribbon Week is to promote the creation of drug-free 
        communities through drug prevention efforts, education programs, 
        parental involvement, and community-wide support;
Whereas, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2012 an 
        estimated 23,900,000 Americans, or 9.2 percent of the population aged 12 
        and older, used illicit drugs;
Whereas drug abuse is one of the major challenges to securing a safe and healthy 
        future for people and families in the United States;
Whereas drug abuse and alcohol abuse contribute to domestic violence and sexual 
        assault and place children at risk;
Whereas, although public awareness of illicit drug use is increasing, emerging 
        drug threats and growing epidemics demand attention, with particular 
        focus on synthetic drugs and the nonmedical use of prescription drugs, 
        the second most abused drug by young people in the United States;
Whereas, the majority of teenagers abusing prescription drugs get the drugs from 
        family, friends, and the home medicine cabinet;
Whereas the Drug Enforcement Administration will host a National Take Back Day 
        on October 26, 2013, for the public to safely dispose of unused or 
        expired prescription drugs that can lead to accidental poisoning, 
        overdose, and abuse;
Whereas synthetic drugs, including those popularly known as ``K2'' or ``Spice'', 
        have acknowledged dangerous health effects and have become especially 
        popular among teens and young adults;
Whereas in 2012, poison centers across the United States responded to 
        approximately 5,205 calls related to synthetic drugs;
Whereas the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data revealed that 
        heroin use doubled between 2007 and 2011 and in 2012 there were 669,000 
        heroin users compared to 373,000 in 2007;
Whereas the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data revealed a 50-
        percent increase in daily marijuana use among individuals aged 12 and 
        over and a 25-percent increase in marijuana use by the general 
        population; and
Whereas parents, young people, schools, businesses, law enforcement agencies, 
        religious institutions and faith-based organizations, service 
        organizations, senior citizens, medical and military personnel, sports 
        teams, and individuals throughout the United States will demonstrate 
        their commitment to healthy, productive, and drug-free lifestyles by 
        wearing and displaying red ribbons during this week-long celebration: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week during 
        the period of October 23 through October 31, 2013;
            (2) encourages children, teens, and other individuals to 
        choose to live drug-free lives; and
            (3) encourages the people of the United States to promote 
        the creation of drug-free communities and to participate in 
        drug prevention activities to show support for healthy, 
        productive, and drug-free lifestyles.
                                 <all>
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