STATEWIDE — Maine Wing Civil Air Patrol members will mark Red Ribbon Week from Oct. 27 through Nov. 3. The drug prevention campaign is observed across America. This year's theme is "Follow Your Dream and Stay Clean!"

Throughout the week, CAP wings nationwide and squadrons throughout the state will be distributing red ribbons to students and organizations along with local law enforcement agencies, youth groups, military and service organizations. Many of the cadets will speak out against drug use to their middle school and high school classmates.

The United States Air Force and CAP became involved with Red Ribbon Week in 1994 as a way to improve the lives of service members' families and children. CAP has since expanded its role to include a year-round drug demand reduction program with three major elements: education, training and community outreach. Maine Wing joined the Auburn Police Department on the recent National Night Out.

Statewide all eight Maine CAP Squadrons will be participating from Portland to Caribou.

The origins of Red Ribbon Week date back 27 years to a local effort in California to honor the memory of former resident Enrique Camarena, a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agent slain in March 1985 in Mexico. Congress proclaimed the final week of October "Red Ribbon Week for a Drug-Free America."

The program's initiatives hold out the promise of preventing drug use before it gets started and sparing families the anguish of watching loved ones slip into the grasp of addiction.