Red Ribbon Week Flag Raising Ceremony Against Substance Abuse

Source: Radio One / Radio One Digital

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) ST. Louis Division has lowered the DEA flag today in order to raise the annual Red Ribbon Week flag. The nation will recognize Red Ribbon Week running October 23rd – 31st; its mission is to keep kids drug free and honor the life of Special Agent Kiki Camarena. It will also bring attention to the dangers of drug misuse and abuse and the power of prevention.

Although nationwide opioid overdoses have decreased, overdose deaths in the St. Louis Metro Area are up a whopping 50% – just in this first half of the year! These overdoses disproportionately affect the black community, and more specifically black males.

The St. Louis Area DEA and partners have launched a new website to provide resources that will help families and individuals affected by substance abuse. For more information, visit www.withyoustl.com.

Special guests in attendance today included:

·       Special agent in Charge William “Bill” Callahan

·       Terry Davis, DEA (pictured)

·       Roy Gillespie, Urban League (pictured)

·       Mike McMillan, President of Urban League

·       Judge Jimmie Edwards, STL Director of Public Safety

·       Reginald Slaughter, Father and Family Support Center (pictured)

·       Chief Mary Barton, St. Louis County Police Department

·       Chief John Hayden, St. Louis City Police Department

·       The family of fallen Officer Tamaris Bohannon

·       Christina Bailey, Urban One Government Taskforce Agent (pictured)