Sailors from the Navy Environmental and Preventive Medicine Unit (NEPMU) 5 celebrated Red Ribbon Week with students and faculty from the Olympic View Elementary School in Chula Vista, California, Oct. 23.

Red Ribbon Week is an annually recognized campaign event in schools throughout the United States that provides an opportunity to engage and bring awareness to our youth about the effects of drugs and alcohol abuse. The red ribbon is symbolic in honor of Special Drug Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, a Mexican-born American working undercover who sacrificed his life while investigating drug traffickers in 1985.

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Derrick Bender, a NEPMU-5 preventive medicine technician (PMT), shared valuable information with the students about the dangers of tobacco use.

"I felt that it was a great way to give back to the community and really show them all the various aspect of tobacco use, and further explain how tobacco use can affect their appearance, overall health, financial stability and everyday enjoyments," said Bender.

NEPMU-5 staff members Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Byron Hewitt, PMT and Dr. Regina Pointer, health promotion specialist, devoted many hours toward organizing what proved to be a very successful occasion. In addition to the organizers, other NEPMU-5 Sailors supported the event, providing the children with both educational and entertaining activities.

NEPMU-5's Public Health and Surveillance Department signed a partnership agreement with Olympic View Elementary to conduct educational enrichment activities to promote student learning throughout the year.

Cmdr. Shelton Llyons, NEPMU-5 officer-in-charge, shared his heartfelt sentiments on the importance of community partnerships.

"NEPMU-5 Sailors are strong leaders," said Lyons. "We believe in actively contributing to our community and the future of our youth."

Olympic View Elementary School Principal Gloria U. McKearney said the students thoroughly enjoyed the event and joined in on the enthusiasm.

"The students had a wonderful time and learned a lot during the anti-drug presentations," said Mckearney.

For more news from Navy Environmental and Preventive Medicine Unit 5, visit www.navy.mil/.