Anti-Drug Campaign Red Ribbon Week is Oct. 24-31
By U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of Public Affairs

Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation reaching millions of Americans during the last week of October every year.

By wearing red ribbons and participating in community anti-drug events, young people pledge to live a drug-free life and pay tribute to Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Enriqué “Kiki” Camarena.

Camarena was an 11-year veteran of the DEA assigned to the Guadalajara, Mexico, office where he was on the trail of the country’s biggest marijuana and cocaine traffickers. In 1985, he was extremely close to unlocking a multi-billion dollar drug pipeline.

On Feb. 7, 1985, he was kidnapped, brutally tortured, and murdered by Mexican drug traffickers. His tragic death opened the eyes of many Americans to the dangers of drugs and the international scope of the drug trade.

Shortly after the death of Camerena, Congressman Duncan Hunter and Camerena’s high school friend Henry Lozano launched “Camarena Clubs” in Camerena’s hometown of Calexico, Calif. Hundreds of club members pledged to lead drug-free lives to honor the sacrifice made by Camarena.

These pledges were delivered to then First Lady Nancy Reagan at a national conference of parents combating youth drug use. Several state parent organizations then called on community groups to wear red ribbons during the last week of October as a symbol of their drug-free commitment.

The first official Red Ribbon Week celebrations were held in La Mirada and Norwalk, Calif.

In 1988, the National Family Partnership (NFP) coordinated the first National Red Ribbon Week with President and Mrs. Reagan serving as honorary chairpersons.

The NFP estimates that more than 80 million people participate in Red Ribbon events each year.

The campaign is a unified way for communities to take a stand against drugs and show intolerance for illicit drug use and the consequences to all Americans.

Schools, businesses, the faith community, media, families, and community coalitions join together to celebrate Red Ribbon Week in many ways, such as: sponsoring essay and poster contests; organizing drug-free races; decorating buildings in red; handing out red ribbons to customers; holding parades or community events; and by publicizing the value of a drug-free, healthy lifestyle.

The DEA joins with community coalitions and prevention groups to plan and carry out Red Ribbon activities, ranging from classroom events to stadium-sized rallies.

Enrique “Kiki” S. Camarena was born on July 26, 1947 in Mexicali, Mexico. He graduated from Calexico High School in Calexico, Calif., in 1966. In 1968 he joined the U.S. Marine Corps. After serving in the Marine Corps for two years, he joined the Calexico Police Department as a criminal investigator in 1970.

In May of 1973, Kiki started working as a narcotics investigator with the El Centro Police Department. He stayed with the El Centro Police Department until June 28, 1974 when he joined the DEA.

For more information about Red Ribbon Week and, or drug prevention, visit the website http://www.justice.gov/dea/.