IV 

114TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 906 

Supporting the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week during the period 

of October 23 through October 31, 2016. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

SEPTEMBER 28, 2016 

Mr. GUINTA (for himself and Mr. RYAN of Ohio) submitted the following 

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week during 

the period of October 23 through October 31, 2016. 

Whereas the Red Ribbon Campaign was started to commemorate the service of Enrique ‘‘Kiki’’ Camarena; 

Whereas, on February 7, 1985, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Camarena was leaving his 

Guadalajara office to meet his wife for lunch when five 

individuals forced him inside a car and sped off; he was 

subsequently tortured at length and then murdered by 

members of the local drug cartel; 

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; 


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•HRES 906 IH 

Whereas the Red Ribbon Campaign is the most longstanding 

drug prevention program, bringing drug awareness to 

millions of people in the United States each year; 

Whereas State Governors and attorneys general, 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 reducing the demand for controlled substances 

would curtail lethal addictions and overdoses; 

Whereas reducing the demand for controlled substances 

would reduce the violence associated with drug trafficking, including, but not limited to, murders and torture; 

Whereas according to the National Survey on Drug Use and 

Health, in 2015 an estimated 27.1 million Americans, or 

10.1 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 


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demand attention, with particular focus on the nonmedical use of prescription drugs and synthetic drugs; 

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 22, 2016, 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 2014, poison centers across the United States responded to approximately 4,247 calls related to synthetic 

drugs; 

Whereas the 2016 National Drug Threat Survey revealed 45 

percent of respondents reported heroin was the greatest 

threat in their areas, more than any other drug; 

Whereas according to National Seizure System (NSS) data, 

heroin seizures in the United States increased 80 percent 

over five years, from 3,733 kilograms in 2011 to 6,722 

kilograms in 2015; 

Whereas the number of people reporting current heroin use 

nearly tripled between 2007 (161,000) and 2014 

(435,000), according to the annual National Survey on 

Drug Use and Health (NSDUH); 

Whereas fentanyl and its analogues have been devastating 

communities and families at an unprecedented rate; 


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Whereas the National Forensic Laboratory Information System reported 13,002 fentanyl exhibits tested by forensic 

laboratories across the country in 2015, a 1,392 percent 

increase from the 934 fentanyl exhibits in 2013; 

Whereas the presence of fentanyl has also posed a hazard to 

police officers and agents; 

Whereas the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health 

data revealed 76 percent of adolescents who admitted to 

treatment for substance abuse were admitted for marijuana use; 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 weeklong celebration: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon 

3 Week; 

4 (2) encourages children, teens, and other indi5 viduals to choose to live drug-free lives; and 

6 (3) encourages the people of the United States 

7 to promote the creation of drug-free communities 

8 and to participate in drug prevention activities to 

9 show support for healthy, productive, and drug-free 

10 lifestyles. 

Æ 


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