The United States Drug Enforcement Administration will kick off its annual Red Ribbon Campaign, the nation’s largest drug prevention effort, on October 23.
The National Red Ribbon Campaign began after drug traffickers in Mexico tortured and brutally murdered Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena in March 1985. Red Ribbon Week is officially celebrated nationally from October 23-31; however, communities and school districts nationwide hold events throughout the month.
The Red Ribbon Campaign is dedicated to helping to preserve Special Agent Camarena’s memory and further the cause for which he gave his life – the fight against the violence of drug crime and the misery of addiction. By gathering together in special events and wearing red ribbons during the last week in October, Americans from all walks of life demonstrate their opposition to drugs.
Red Ribbon Week started as a local effort in Camarena’s hometown of Calexico, California, when former Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) and Camarena’s high school friend, Henry Lozano, created Camarena Clubs to keep Kiki’s memory alive. The National Family Partnership turned Red Ribbon Week into a national drug awareness campaign, an eight-day event proclaimed by the U.S. Congress and chaired by then President and Mrs. Reagan.
Approximately 80 million people participate in Red Ribbon events every year.
In advance of Red Ribbon Week, the National Red Ribbon Rally will be held on October 17 for DEA and other federal employees, drug abuse prevention partners, and members of the military. Members of the public can watch the 2017 National Red Ribbon Rally free and live via webcast on Tuesday, October 17 at 11 a.m. EDT/8 a.m. PDT at www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com.
The guest speaker for this year’s Red Ribbon Rally will be Geneva “Mika” Camarena, widow of Special Agent Kiki Camarena and president of the Kiki Camarena Foundation. During the rally, Acting Administrator Robert Patterson will recognize the winners of the 2017 DEA Community Drug Prevention Awards and the 2017 Red Ribbon Bookmark contest winners. There will also be musical performances by the Annandale Singers from Annandale High School in Virginia. The emcee for the event will be Larry Smith, Good Morning Washington anchor.
In addition to the rally, DEA and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, are sponsoring their 2nd Annual Red Ribbon Week Campus Video PSA Contest. To learn more, visit www.campusdrugprevention.gov/
For a toolkit with Red Ribbon materials and more information, visit the Red Ribbon Campaign page on www.dea.gov.
