Event Description
2020 surpassed 2017 as the highest year for unintentional drug overdose deaths in Ohio, with 5,017 deaths. This was a 3% increase over 2017 and a 25% increase over 2019.
In 2020 (2021 data not available yet): 5,204 (47.2 (per 100,000)¹ unintentional drug overdose deaths occurred in Ohio
Fentanyl was involved in 81% of overdose deaths in 2020, often in combination with other drugs. That percentage was up from 76% in 2019, 73% in 2018, and 71% in 2017. Fentanyl was involved in 83% of all heroin-related overdose deaths, 80% of all cocaine-related overdose deaths, and 79% of all psychostimulant/methamphetamine-related overdose deaths.
Clermont, Butler and Hamilton counties are ranked in the top 28 out of 88 Ohio for overdoses.
These numbers are why The Young Marines of Cincinnati are hosting its first Annual Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) 5k to spread awareness. This is a time where schools, businesses, the faith community, media, families, and community coalitions join together to celebrate the value of a drug-free, healthy lifestyle. As a program for the youth of our nation ages 8-18, our primary focus is on Anti-Drug education followed by character & leadership development, community service & volunteerism and veteran’s service. As a program we strive to teach the youth how the use of drug socially or under peer pressure can lead to bigger issues. The youth are given the opportunity to provide drug education to the community, participate in community events, and empower other youth and families to say "No."
The proceeds from this race will be used to continue and enhance community efforts/outreach as well as continue education programs for the Youth in our unit and community.
The run kicks off the annual Nationally recognized Red Ribbon Week where more than 80 million people participate in Red Ribbon events each year. The campaign is a unified way for Young Marines and communities to take a stand against drugs and show intolerance for illicit drug use and the consequences that these illegal substances cause to all Americans.
ADDITIONAL RACE INFORMATION
DASH Swag
Each participant will receive a race t-shirt, and finisher medal.
Early Packet Pickup
Race packets may be picked up early at the Forest Park Senior Center (11555 Winton Road, 45240) on Wednesday, October 19 (7PM-8:30PM). A second pickup is scheduled for Thursday, October 20th (12PM-4PM) at Hamilton Treatment Services 850 Bilstein Blvd 45015. You may also pick up your packets at the race beginning at 8:00 AM on Sunday, October 23rd, 2022
Parking
There is ample parking at the Krestel Point Shelter in Winton Woods Park
Event Day Timeline
7:45 AM: Race day registration begins
8:40 AM: DASH KICKOFF
9:00 AM: DDR Dash Start
10:00 AM: DDR DASH CELEBRATION
Young Marines of Cincinnati
KIKI CAMARENA'S STORY- RED RIBBON WEEK
Enrique (Kiki) S. Camarena was born on July 26, 1947, in Mexicali, Mexico. He graduated from Calexico High School in Calexico, California in 1966, and in 1968 he joined the U.S. Marine Corps. After serving in the Marine Corps for two years, Kiki was a Calexico fireman, Calexico police officer, and an Imperial County Deputy Sheriff. Kiki joined the Drug Enforcement Administration in June of 1974. His first assignment as a Special Agent with DEA was in a familiar place - Calexico, California.
In 1977, after three years in Calexico, he was reassigned to the Fresno District Office in Northern California. Four years later, Kiki received transfer orders to Mexico, where he would work out of the Guadalajara Resident Office. For more than four years in Mexico, Kiki remained on the trail of the country's biggest marijuana and cocaine traffickers. In early 1985, he was extremely close to unlocking a multi-billion dollar drug pipeline. However, before he was able to expose the drug trafficking operations to the public, he was kidnapped on February 7, 1985. On that fateful day, while headed to a luncheon with his wife, Mika, Kiki was surrounded by five armed men who threw him into a car and sped away. That was the last time anyone but his kidnappers would see him alive.
It is believed that Special Agent Camarena's death actually occurred two days later, but his body was not discovered until March 5, 1985. He was 37 years old and was survived by his wife Mika and their three children—Enrique, Daniel, and Erik. During his 11 years with DEA, Kiki received two Sustained Superior Performance Awards, a Special Achievement Award and, posthumously, the Administrator’s Award of Honor, the highest award granted by DEA.
Red Ribbon Week eventually gained momentum throughout California and later across the United States. In 1985, club members presented the "Camarena Club Proclamation" to then First Lady Nancy Reagan, bringing it national attention. Later that summer, parent groups in California, Illinois, and Virginia began promoting the wearing of red ribbons nationwide during late October. The campaign was then formalized in 1988 by the National Family Partnership, with President and Mrs. Reagan serving as honorary chairpersons. Today, the eight-day celebration is an annual catalyst to show intolerance for drugs in our schools, workplaces, and communities. Each year, on October 23-31, more than 80 million young people and adults show their commitment to a healthy, drug-free lifestyle by wearing or displaying the red ribbon.
