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[Page S5926]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
______
SENATE RESOLUTION 366--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF RED RIBBON
WEEK DURING THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 23 THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 2019
Mr. CORNYN (for himself, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Risch, and Mrs. Capito)
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:
S. Res. 366
Whereas the National Family Partnership started the Red
Ribbon Campaign in 1988--
(1) to preserve the memory of Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena, a
special agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration who--
(A) served the Drug Enforcement Administration for 11
years; and
(B) was murdered in the line of duty in 1985 while
engaged in the battle against illicit drugs;
(2) to commemorate the service of Special Agent Camarena to
the Drug Enforcement Administration and the people of the
United States; and
(3) to further the cause for which Special Agent Camarena
gave his life;
Whereas the Red Ribbon Campaign is the most longstanding
drug prevention program in the United States, bringing drug
awareness to millions of people in the United States each
year;
Whereas Red Ribbon Week is celebrated every year during the
period of October 23 through October 31 by--
(1) State Governors and attorneys general;
(2) the National Family Partnership;
(3) parent-teacher associations;
(4) Boys and Girls Clubs of America;
(5) the Young Marines;
(6) the Drug Enforcement Administration; and
(7) hundreds of other organizations throughout the United
States;
Whereas the objective of Red Ribbon Week is to promote the
creation of drug-free communities through drug prevention
efforts, education programs, parental involvement, and
community-wide support;
Whereas, according to the 2018 National Drug Threat
Assessment, drug poisoning deaths are the leading cause of
injury death in the United States, outnumbering deaths by
firearms, motor vehicle crashes, suicide, and homicide;
Whereas approximately 69,000 people died from drug
overdoses in the United States in 2018;
Whereas reducing the demand for controlled substances
would--
(1) curtail lethal addictions and overdoses; and
(2) reduce the violence associated with drug trafficking;
Whereas, although public awareness of illicit drug use is
increasing, emerging drug threats and growing epidemics
continue to demand attention;
Whereas a majority of teenagers abusing prescription drugs
get those drugs from family, friends, and the home medicine
cabinet;
Whereas the Drug Enforcement Administration hosts a
National Take Back Day twice a year, on the last Saturdays of
October and April, for the public to safely dispose of unused
or expired prescription drugs that can lead to accidental
poisoning, overdose, or abuse;
Whereas the number of people reporting heroin use during
the past 12 months doubled between 2002 and 2018, from
404,000 to 808,000;
Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, the number of deaths attributable to
methamphetamine has risen every year since 2008 to a high of
approximately 12,815 in 2018;
Whereas cocaine availability and use in the United States
continued to rise between 2016 and 2018, with total deaths
attributable to cocaine exceeding 14,600 in 2018, the highest
recorded total in the 21st century;
Whereas fentanyl and the analogues of fentanyl have been
devastating communities and families at an unprecedented
rate, claiming more than 32,000 lives in 2018;
Whereas the presence of fentanyl poses hazards to police
officers and law enforcement agents; and
Whereas parents, young people, schools, businesses, law
enforcement agencies, religious institutions and faith-based
organizations, service organizations, senior citizens,
medical and military personnel, sports teams, and individuals
throughout the United States will demonstrate their
commitment to healthy, productive, and drug-free lifestyles
by wearing and displaying red ribbons during the week-long
celebration of Red Ribbon Week: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week during
the period of October 23 through October 31, 2019;
(2) encourages the people of the United States to wear and
display red ribbons during Red Ribbon Week to symbolize their
commitment to healthy, drug-free lifestyles;
(3) encourages children, teens, and other individuals to
choose to live drug-free lives; and
(4) encourages the people of the United States--
(A) to promote the creation of drug-free communities; and
(B) to participate in drug prevention activities to show
support for healthy, productive, and drug-free lifestyles.
____________________
