Eielson promotes drug free community Published Oct. 20, 2011 By Senior Airman Janine Thibault 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- During Red Ribbon Week, Eielson AFB will celebrate being a drug free environment by involving youth and adults in various activities Oct. 22 to 30. Red Ribbon Week can be identified as the time when the elementary and high schools are adorned with banners and commemorative ribbons. Schools and organizations around base will play various roles to participate in this nation-wide event, however, the base participates in an Air Force directed program that promotes the drug-free lifestyle summed up in the base's 2011 Red Ribbon week message "It's up to me to be drug free." At the elementary grade level children are taught basic information about the effects of drugs, gradually working up to more technical information as they get older. According to Michael Duncan, 354th Medical Group Drug Demand Reduction Program manager, parents may be lulled into the notion that their child is protected since they live or go to school on base, but realistically that is not always the case. To help spread awareness during Red Ribbon Week Crawford Elementary school will have an art contest and an assembly showcasing Eielson's Military Working Dogs and a game of Jeopardy. Anderson Elementary school students will be mentored in groups by Ben Eielson High School students who will answer common questions. Adults can attend a Parenting University class in which Duncan will cover discussing a drug free life with children. In addition, the Drug Demand Reduction Program will have booths at the Fall Festival and at the community center for trick-or-treat night. "One of the things I try to educate the adults on is that teaching your kids about drug prevention, use and abuse is a parenting responsibility,' said Duncan. "It's something that needs to be done more than just when your children come home wearing a red ribbon, it's a 365-day process for parents." One message taught to older children is that decisions made today may affect their future. The same messages are expressed to Airmen. The decisions made by an Airman that uses drugs may have some serious consequences for their lives and careers. The Air Force Drug Demand Reduction Program tests Airmen and select civilians through urinalysis to reinforce a drug-free lifestyle. According to Duncan, the urinalysis is in place to enhance mission readiness. An individual with toxins in their system is a safety risk especially when working with hazardous materials or equipment. Red Ribbon Week is a subtle reminder to everyone that substance abuse is harmful in more ways than one.