Kathy Sullivan of RAYSAC shared the following information in an email Tuesday morning:

RAYSAC has just been awarded the 2012 National DEA Community Drug Prevention Award. This was awarded to RAYSAC for our collaborative efforts with the Western Virginia Water Authority, DEA, U. S. Attorney’s Office,  all area sheriff and police departments, and the Prevention Council of Roanoke County. The DEA gives this award annually to recognize the efforts of community groups who work together throughout the year to address the problems associated with drugs and crime in their communities. The DEA sponsors this award to highlight the importance of grass-roots efforts in keeping our communities safe and drug free. Tim Carden, Resident Agent in Charge-Roanoke nominated RAYSAC.

Ginny Harden and I will be traveling to Arlington tomorrow to receive this award.  Please see the DEA announcement below.  If you would like to take part in the live webcast, please follow the link here.

We are honored and excited to receive this award, and to represent RAYSAC and our collaborative partners at this ceremony.

Thank you for your continued support in promoting a safe and drug free Roanoke Valley!

Read on for more information from the DEA.

Celebrate Red Ribbon Week

Please join us in celebrating Red Ribbon Week at DEA’s annual Red Ribbon Rally on Oct. 24, 2012  at 10 a.m. in the DEA Auditorium.  During Red Ribbon, young people in communities across the nation pledge to live drug free lifestyles by wearing red ribbons and participating in community-wide anti-drug events.  Red Ribbon Week is also a time to pay tribute to DEA Special Agent Enriqué “Kiki” Camarena, whose tragic murder led to the creation of the Red Ribbon Program.  During Red Ribbon, we remember Special Agent Camarena’s ultimate sacrifice, and we join with communities across the nation in planning prevention efforts that encourage our youth to remain drug free and celebrating their drug free lifestyles.

The guest speaker for this year’s Red Ribbon Rally is Peggy Sapp, President of National Family Partnership, sponsors of the first Red Ribbon celebration nearly 25 years ago. During the rally, remarks will also be given by Deputy Attorney General James Cole and Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske. The guest performers will be Afro Blue, Howard University’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and the DEA Youth Dance Program, featuring performers from the Drew Model Elementary School and City Dance.

During the rally, we will also recognize the Red Ribbon Bookmark contest winners, Haley Chilton, daughter of Program Analyst Shannon Chilton, who works in the Office of Information Systems; and Marissa Salyards, stepdaughter of Intelligence Analyst Cheye-Anne Salyards, who works in the Special Operations Division in Chantilly, Virginia. The DEA Community Drug Prevention Award will also be presented to the Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition (RAYSAC), which is dedicated to reducing substance abuse among our youth throughout the Roanoke Valley by educating and mobilizing the community, youth and parents about the problem of substance abuse and the dangers of underage drinking. Thanks to Tim Carden, Resident Agent in Charge of the Roanoke, Virginia office for highlighting the work that RAYSAC is doing to keep the community safe and drug free.  Congratulations to our winners and thanks to everyone who participated in these contests!

There will be a live webcast of the rally on the DEA Museum website at www.deamuseum.org.  See the attached flyer for additional information about the Red Ribbon Rally.  If you have any questions, contact the Demand Reduction Section at 202-307-7936.