AUGUSTA — Maine Wing Civil Air Patrol Squadrons will celebrate Red Ribbon Week by promoting a healthy, drug-free lifestyle during the observance of Red Ribbon Week. The oldest, largest drug prevention campaign in the United States, this year’s week will be observed Oct. 23 to 30. The theme will be “Better Things to Do than Drugs.”

On the local level, Squadrons will write essays and compete for scholarships for their Squadrons and their Cadet programs. Squadrons will also set up safety fairs and open houses to pass out drug prevention pamphlets and red ribbons. Maine has 264 senior members and 128 cadets who will join with 62,000 CAP members to participate in the campaign.

The U.S. Air Force and Civil Air Patrol became involved with the Red Ribbon week in 1994, and has since expanded the role to include a year round Drug Demand Reduction Program with three major elements: education, training and community outreach.

The origins of Red Ribbon Week date back to 24 years ago to a local effort in Imperial Valley, Calif., to honor the memory of former resident Enrique Camarena, a US Drug Enforcement agent slain in line of duty in Mexico. In 1988, Congress proclaimed the final week of October as Red Ribbon Week to promote a drug-free America.

For more information and inquiries regarding Civil Air Patrol, go to gocivilairpatrol.com