ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
Red Ribbon Week is an annual awareness campaign observed during the last week of October and is the oldest and the largest drug prevention program in the country. This year's celebration at Andrews began this past Tuesday through Tuesday and Team Andrews is commemorating this year's campaign with a unique community event.
"The base Drug Demand Reduction program office, in celebration of Red Ribbon Week, is inviting the community to an afternoon of bowling," said Mr. Daryl Dowleyne, Master Sgt., USAF-retired and DDR program manager. "Ten lanes have been reserved for kids to bowl for free-I did say free-on a first-come, first-serve basis so get there early!" The DDR office will also give away water bottles, t-shirts, teddy bears and other gifts for Red Ribbon Week participants.
For Mr. Dowleyne, working with the DDR program is about giving back to the community. "Being from Brooklyn, where I grew up, I had family members that were into drugs," explained Mr. Dowleyne. "That being the case, I wanted some way that I could give back to the community and it just so happens that in this job, I can give back and reach out to kids. I know it sounds cliché, but kids are our future and we need to reach out to them." Mr. Dowleyne makes it a point to share drug awareness with his family. "Sometimes parents have a hard time talking with their kids about drugs. I have a 10-year old grandson and a 13-year old godson and that is primetime to talk to kids. Actually anytime between ages 8 and 13 is the time to talk to kids about drugs and it's best if the kids hear it from someone they trust and can open up to. It's better for kids to hear about drugs and their consequences from someone in their home, than to hear about drugs at the playground or on the streets."
Mr. Dowleyne retired in 2004 as the NCOIC of the mental health clinic at Bolling and is a substance abuse counselor by trade. In 2006, Mr. Dowleyne started work at Andrews in his current capacity as DDR program manager. Further, Mr. Dowleyne has worked in the DDR program since 1995. "I see everyone-from airman basics to two-star generals," said Mr. Dowleyne. "Daily I'll have anywhere from 1 person to 65 people specimens. But the DDR program is not just a urinalysis program. We are an outreach program and we really try and get out into the community-just like what we are going to be doing, working with the kids at the bowling lanes."
Mr. Dowleyne explained that Red Ribbon Week began after the brutal murder of Drug Enforcement Administration agent Enrique "Kiki" Camerena by drug traffickers in 1985 in Guadalajara, Mexico. Mr. Dowleyne said that "shortly after Mr. Camerena's death, citizens from his hometown of Calexico, CA began to wear red ribbons to remember him and to commemorate his sacrifice." Mr. Dowleyne explained that the anti-drug message spread and in 1988, the National Family Partnership took the Red Ribbon Celebration nationwide. The Red Ribbon itself now symbolizes a continuing commitment to reducing the demand for illicit drugs in the community.
Team Andrews can participate in the Red Ribbon Week commemoration at the base's Bowling Center on Saturday, from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for free. For more information, contact Mr. Dowleyne at 240-857-8244 or 240-857-8241.