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RED
RIBBON WEEK
Red
Ribbon Week began in 1987 to commemorate the death of
DEA Agent Enrique ("Kiki") Camarena, who was
murdered by drug traffickers in Mexico in 1985 as he
worked to stem the flow of illegal drugs into the United
States. Californians for Drug-Free Youth (CADFY) organized
the first weeklong, statewide Red Ribbon Campaign in
1986 to commemorate Enrique's death and to raise awareness
in communities about the issues of substance abuse and
initiate activities to reduce the problems it causes.
The first National Red Ribbon Campaign followed in 1988,
initiated by the organization, National Families in
Action (now National Family Partnership), to promote
a focused awareness about the toll drugs take in our
families and communities. Today, millions of Americans
wear Red Ribbons or wristbands during the last week
in October to demonstrate their commitment to substance
abuse prevention and the promotion of safe, healthy
lifestyles. These efforts advance Enrique Camarena's
vision of homes, schools, and communities that are free
of illicit drugs, something for which he sacrificed
his life.
It
is an awareness campaign designed to motivate parents,
teachers, students and to learn more about the problems
created by alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use in their
own communities and to take action to reduce the number
of lives damaged or destroyed by substance abuse.
Original
Red Ribbon Pledge
Enrique's
congressman, Representative Duncan Hunter was so moved
by the agent's death that he met with Mr. Henry Lozano,
then Director of Teen Challenge, and a teacher, Mr.
David Dillon, from Calexico High School (where Camarena
had graduated in 1966) to create a "Camarena Clubs"
to promote the awareness of the dangers of drug abuse
in his 45th Congressional District. This endeavor was
supported and assisted by the Camarena family. Members
of the first club established in April of 1985 at Calexico
High School created a pledge to honor the memory of
Kiki's sacrifice. Written by Congressman Hunter's wife,
Lynne, 100 students signed this pledge on April 20,
1985:
We,
the undersigned students of Calexico High school pledge
in the honor of Enrique Camarena and all others risking
their lives, to stop the flow of drugs, to say not to
drugs, to encourage my friends to say no to drugs, to
provide support to other who use drugs to help them
learn to say no to drugs, to become educated on the
dangers of drugs, and to provide this information to
my community.
Please
visit the Red Ribbon Week 2008 section of this website
for more information.
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