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What Is Red Ribbon Week?

Traditionally, the last week of October is referred to as Red Ribbon Week, a drug prevention campaign. Aside from educating children, teens, educators and parents about the dangers and fatal consequences of drug use, Red Ribbon Week is also about celebrating the life and work of DEA Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena.

  1. DEA Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena

    • Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena spent his adult life fighting the war on drugs and Mexican drug cartels. Assigned to Guadalajara, Mexico, Camarena worked to bring the largest drug cartels, who trafficked marijuana and cocaine around the world, to justice. On Feb. 7, 1985, Camarena was kidnapped, tortured and murdered by Mexican drug traffickers. His body was found in a shallow grave one month after his murder. Camarena was survived by his wife and three children.

    The History of Red Ribbon Week

    • Camarena's high school friend Henry Lozano and California Congressman Duncan Hunter started a club in California called Camarena Clubs. Camarena Clubs were setup to encourage everyone to live a drug-free life. David Dhollon, a local high school teacher, started the trend of wearing a red ribbon as a remembrance of Camarena's sacrifice and as a pledge to live drug-free. In the summer, with the help of then-First Lady Nancy Reagan, Camarena Clubs throughout California and other states decided to wear red ribbons the last week of October.

    Celebrating Red Ribbon Week

    • Red Ribbon Week is sponsored by the National Family Partnership. The NFP offers red ribbons, with the proceeds going to support drug prevention programs nationwide. The NFP has also expanded their merchandise to include red bracelets, key rings, buttons, pens, balloons, bookmarks, flag banners and other items all with positive anti-drug messages on them. The NFP encourages teachers, parents and family members to talk with their children on a regular basis about the dangers of drugs and to show your drug-free support by wearing your red ribbon and red merchandise during the last week of October.

    What You Can Do

    • You can show your support for Red Ribbon Week in a number of different ways. You can offer financial support to the NFP and Red Ribbon Week by purchasing the Red Ribbon items from the NFP website. Show your support for Red Ribbon Week, drug prevention programs and keep the memory of Special Agent Camarena alive by wearing your red ribbons during the last week in October. And, of course, always be a positive influence and teach your children, grandchildren, students, siblings and friends about the dangers of doing drugs.

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