AUBURN – Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 23 to 30, begins a year-long initiative of prevention and education about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. During this week, students all over the country will pledge to live drug- and alcohol-free.

The 77th Composite Squadron, Maine Wing, Civil Air Patrol, and Androscoggin County Sheriff Guy P. Desjardins and his department will hold a Red Ribbon Balloon Lift-Off at noon Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Androscoggin County Courthouse, corner of Turner and Court streets. All are invited.

This year’s theme, “Ask Me, See Me, Be Me, I am Drug-Free,” helps create awareness of drug problems facing local communities.

The first Red Ribbon celebration was held in 1985 by an organization of parents concerned about the destruction caused by alcohol and drugs. The red ribbon was adopted as a symbol of the movement in honor or Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, an agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration who was kidnapped and killed while investigating drug traffickers.