Red Ribbon Week was created to commemorate the death of DEA, Special Agent Enrique “KiKi” Camarena in 1985.

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Special Agent Camarena was assigned to Guadalajara, Mexico for more than four years. He was hot on the trail of the county’s largest marijuana and cocaine traffickers as well as being extremely close to locating the multi-billion dollar drug pipeline. Mexican drug traffickers kidnapped, tortured and murdered Special Agent Camarena on February 7, 1985.

Special Agent Camarena gave his life in the fight against drugs, as well as opened up millions of people’s eyes to the dangers of illicit drugs and the international scope of the drug trade.

Red Ribbon Week was created in Calexico, California in Camarena’s hometown, where residents began wearing red ribbons to remember and commemorate his ultimate sacrifice. The Red Ribbon soon gained momentum across California, as well as throughout the rest of the country. The Red Ribbon Week event was officially formalized in 1988, when President Ronald Reagan and Mrs. Reagan served as the Red Ribbon Week honorary chairpersons.

This week, millions of Americans celebrate the man behind the symbol and remember his ultimate sacrifice in fight against illicit drugs. Red Ribbon Week has been a leading force all over the United States to get communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention.

During this week, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Success Through Awareness and Resistance (STAR) Unit, has participated in Red Ribbon Week activities by visiting schools and speaking at their assemblies about the origins of Red Ribbon Week, as well as the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

Red Ribbon Week is also an excellent time for parents to talk with their children about drugs, their dangers, and consequences. Many parents may not feel the need to do so at such an early age, but it is never too early when it comes to drugs.

This week we remember all the fallen officers who fought against the war on drugs.

Contact your local police station or local library for Red Ribbon Week drug prevention activities.

For more information go to:

www.justice.gov/dea/redribbon/RedRibbonCampaign.shtml

www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com

www.justthinktwice.com/inside_dea/red_ribbonweek.html

www.camarenafoundation.org/red_ribbonprogram.htm

PRESS RELEASE COURTESY OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

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