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Date: 10/17/2023
LUDLOW — Ludlow CARES is hosting its annual Walk to Remember at the end of Red Ribbon Week.
Red Ribbon Week will take place from Monday, Oct. 23 to Monday, Oct. 30 with the Walk to Remember taking place on Sunday, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. at the Ludlow Community Center/Randall Boys and Girls Club, 91 Claudias Way.
The walk is a candlelight vigil that serves to remember those who died due to substance abuse and support those and their families who are on the road to recovery.
“It gives folks the opportunity to remember those who passed away from substance use disorder mostly it’s because of overdoses but for any of the associated health risks that come with drug use. That is for folks to remember loved ones that they may have lost but also to just come and support of those currently in recovery or support,” Ludlow CARES Vice President and Walk to Remember Chair Ben Bovee said.
Luminary kits will be available for residents to make at the event.
CARES is a community-run organization that addresses several issues in town including anti-drug awareness.
Red Ribbon Week is an alcohol, tobacco and other drug and violence prevention awareness campaign observed annually in October.
It began as a tribute to fallen Drug Enforcement Administration special agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena in 1985.
Camarena was a DEA agent who was tortured and killed in Mexico. On Feb. 7, 1985, Camarena left his office to meet his wife for lunch. Five men appeared at the agent’s side and shoved him in a car. One month later, Camarena’s body was found.
In honor of Camarena’s memory and his battle against illegal drugs, friends and neighbors began to wear red badges of satin and began forming coalitions.
Some of these new coalitions took Camarena as their model and embraced his belief that one person can make a difference. These coalitions also adopted the red ribbon to symbolize Camarena’s memory.
Bovee talked about the importance of adopting the story of Camarena into Ludlow CARES and Red Ribbon Week.
He said, “That is what got it going but today it is associated with what can we do to further education around illicit drugs and preventing folks from using them to begin with or if that does happen what are the paths to recovery associated with it.”
Ludlow CARES works closely with the schools to figure out a plan to bring in guest speakers or materials during Red Ribbon Week that further educate students on the dangers of drug use.
Bovee added, “We make the materials and speakers that we provide are age appropriate so for the elementary school making sure it’s messaged around positivity and making smart choices while for the middle school and high school students we can be a little more explicit about some of the risks associated with drug use.”
Bovee said that CARES also tries to supply the school systems with their requests for materials. Starting last year, they supplied red tulip planting kits in remembrance of Red Ribbon Week to be planted by the schools.
He said, “When folks plant these flowers, it is a commitment to stay drug free.”
The Ludlow High School soccer team and Ludlow CARES volunteers and sponsors will also continue an annual event of placing red ribbons throughout the town to remind people about Red Ribbon Week.
“It’s great that the community backs our efforts regarding Red Ribbon Week,” Bovee said of the importance of Red Ribbon Week and the Walk to Remember taking place annually in Ludlow.
He said, “I am a recovering alcoholic so that is why this event speaks to me and what I have seen and part of what I love about Red Ribbon Week and about the Walk to Remember is it helps to reduce the stigma associated with those folks who are in recovery.”
Bovee said each year the event takes place there are more and more people who show up which he enjoys seeing.
“Every year we have more and more folks that attend these events and that is all phenomenal to see. Just to see the message is getting out there. Ultimately, we want the community to be aware of the risks associated with drug use disorder. What we can do is point at the resources that they have available to them,” Bovee added.