LRAFB Drug, Demand, Reduction office wins DOW Red Ribbon Award

Official Statements

• 19th Airlift Wing, November 9: “Little Rock Air Force base, Ark. -

  Administered by the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness, the award recognized one installation from each service branch for outstanding dedication, performance, and commitment to drug awareness and prevention.

  “To be recognized for this award with a shortage in manpower means someone paid attention to our hard work that we do over here,” Leasa Schack, DDR program manager, said. “Winning the biggest award that you can win in DDRP means this base works together well.”

  Red Ribbon Week began after the kidnapping and murder of DEA agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena in 1985. After Camarena was found murdered, citizens in Camarena's hometown of Calexico, California donned red ribbons in his honor. The red ribbon became their symbol for prevention in order to reduce the demand of illegal drugs.

  The 2026 Red Ribbon campaign theme, “Make a Difference. Be a Hero. Stay Drug Free,” encourages schools, families and local communities nationwide to reject illicit drug use and prescription medication misuse. Through education and outreach, the 19th Aw DDRP team works to help Airmen make informed decisions, understand Air Force drug policies and recognize the risks associated with illegal drug use.

  For Leasa Schack, DDR program manager, one of the most rewarding aspects of the job is seeing young Airmen gain a better understanding of the risks they may encounter, both on and off the installation.

  “It makes me feel good to know that I’m educating and teaching them that these illegal substances may be coming from the local area around them,” Schack said. “When I see the young Airmen receive that knowledge and learn it for the first time, I feel good about the impact I’m making.”

  The program conducts routine educational briefings during each First-Term Enlisted Course for new Airmen here and then revisits its instructional approach at Airman Leadership School. To extend prevention education to retirees and dependents, Schack and the DDRP conduct quarterly outreach sessions at the base exchange.

  Through these efforts, the team reaches Airmen at key stages of their careers while extending drug awareness education to military retirees and families. These interactions help reinforce a culture of prevention throughout the installation and strengthen awareness of the risks associated with illegal drug use in the surrounding community.

  The program’s mission extends beyond drug testing and identifying illegal drug use. The team emphasizes prevention by educating Airmen on Air Force policies, the consequences of illegal drug use and the importance of making informed decisions.

  “We all have seen the effects of substance abuse, whether it’s a family member, a friend or someone from high school,” Schack said. “If we as a program can get the message out before someone tries a substance, maybe we can save someone from falling victim to addiction and that’s powerful.”

  Prevention also plays a direct role in supporting the 19th AW’s mission. As a major global mobility installation, Little Rock AFB relies on healthy, ready and deployable Airmen to project combat power and provide airlift capabilities around the world.

  Schack said the DDR Program’s primary goal in aligning with Little Rock Air Force Base’s mission is to maximize the number of Airmen who remain medically and operationally ready to deploy. “We would not want to deploy somebody with a mood-altering drug in them,” Schack said. “If we can keep somebody from doing the first drug, then we have a mission ready force.”

  With Red Ribbon Week in full swing, the 19th Aw DDR Program remains committed to expanding awareness, strengthening prevention, and supporting service members and families at Little Rock AFB and throughout the surrounding community.

  By emphasizing education before problems arise, the team helps Airmen understand the consequences of illegal drug use, protect their well-being and remain ready to accomplish the Air Force mission.

  For more information on what products, foods or supplements are not allowed for service members’ consumption, visit www.opss.org/dod-prohibited-dietary-supplement-ingredients.”