Come Together For National Red Ribbon Week

Every year during the last week in October, the country comes together for Red Ribbon Week. This week long observance is considered the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation. The campaign focuses on the mission of keeping kids drug-free.

The event started as a result of Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, a drug enforcement administration agent who was tortured and killed in Mexico in 1985. In honor of Kiki’s memory and his battle against illegal drugs, friends and neighbors began to wear red badges of satin.

Parents then began to form coalitions using Camarena as their model while embracing his belief that one person can make a difference.These coalitions adopted the symbol of Camaren’s memory, the Red Ribbon.

Today, the Red Ribbon serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities.