News Release [print friendly page]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 4, 2007

The Community Stars Program

Ray Andrews, Director of Houston Crackdown-Office of the Mayor, Associate Special Agent in Charge Joe Arabit, and Lee Vela, Director of Public Relations with Clear Channel Outdoor recognize the Community Stars.	Victor Trevino’s Billboard displayed in his community.
Public Affairs Specialst Dawn Mathis and Ray Andrews, Director of Houston Crackdown recognize the staff at HISD Safe and Drug –Free Schools.	Houston Independent School District Safe and Drug-Free Schools billboard displayed throughout.

OCT 4 -- The Drug Enforcement Administration, along with Houston Crackdown-Office of the Mayor and Clear Channel Communications, was proud to sponsor the annual “Community Stars” Program. The “Community Stars” Program is designed to recognize and honor organizations, coalitions, educational institutions, law enforcement agencies, and individuals that are educating, preventing, treating and enforcing the efforts to eradicate drugs in their communities. On October 4, 2007, Harris County Precinct 6 Constable Victor Trevino, The Simmons Foundation and the Houston Independent School District Safe and Drug-Free Schools were honored during the Houston Crackdown 20th Anniversary Red Ribbon Rally Drug Prevention Month Kick-Off. The agencies and individuals listed have their own unique programs on how they have reduced drug use, and made their surrounding neighborhoods a safer place to live. The honorees were recognized by Associate Special Agent in Charge Joe Arabit. Further efforts to recognize these organizations will include recognition by the Mayor and the Houston City Council, as well as in-depth media coverage. As a reminder of DEA’s commitment to drug education and prevention, the Houston Divisional Office permanently exhibits a full size billboard representing the Houston skyline, with the recipients displayed as gold stars. “Our goal is to fill the skyline with stars.” These outstanding organizations will be further honored with a duplicate full size billboard in their community. This local exposure will have a direct impact on tens of thousands of citizens and provide a forum for our joint message 24 hours a day.