By Mary O’KEEFE

With so much attention focused on COVID-19 it might be easy to forget that many of the issues that were faced pre-pandemic are still around.

“Over 81,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States in the 12 months ending in May 2020, the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in a 12-month period,” according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “While overdose deaths were already increasing in the months preceding the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the latest numbers suggest an acceleration of overdose deaths during the pandemic.”

Red Ribbon Week brings attention to drug overdose deaths and was recognized this week at local schools. The week began as a campaign to bring awareness to drug issues. It was formalized in 1988 by the National Family Partnership and was born from the murder of Drug Enforcement Administration agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. While investigating a multi-billion dollar drug pipeline in Mexico he was kidnapped and murdered in 1985.

At Crescenta Valley High School, the Red Ribbon Week theme was “I Pledge to be a Healthier Me.”

“At Lincoln Elementary School, I was in charge of Red Ribbon Week. [Lincoln staff and PTA] didn’t want to use the word ‘drug’ so we [focused] on making better choices, like eating right and getting enough sleep,” said Rachelle Miller, Red Ribbon Week CVHS PTSA chair. “So I just expanded that idea [and brought it] to the high school.”

CVHS had a banner prepared that students could sign pledging to make better choices to create a “better me.”

Associated Student Body, PTSA and the CVHS administration worked together to create a week of thoughtful events.

Retired Glendale police officer Joe Allen, a parent of children who have graduated from CVHS, created two videos, one that covers the basic and harsh facts of drug abuse focusing on fentanyl, and the second one that focused on how students can be true friends and how to help a friend who is making dangerous choices.

“The drugs of today are stronger, easier to obtain and are killing more kids, teens and adults than ever before,” Allen warned on the video.

Allen focused his message on opioid-related overdoses, primarily relating to fentanyl.

“Anyone who takes opioids are taking a risk at developing an addiction,” he said. “It is impossible to predict who’s vulnerable to the eventual dependency and the abuse of these drugs.”

He explained how opioids work and how drug cartels mix fentanyl into other drugs to give them “an underlying boost to make their customers come back.”

“As of [Tuesday afternoon] the videos were viewed in 71 classes,” said Bill Gallimore, assistant principal at CVHS.

Gallimore praised Allen for his willingness to always support the school and specifically for helping with Red Ribbon Week.

Deputy Scott Shinagawa, the school resource officer at CVHS, said the year has been pretty quiet compared to previous years.

“I think we are still in a weird state,” he said of everyone returning to school after the isolation associated with the long pandemic. However, he is seeing the student population moving back to normal and said focusing on Red Ribbon Week is a good thing.

“It is always a good idea and a healthy reminder,” Shinagawa said.