National Red Ribbon Week
OCT 30—The National Red Ribbon Week commemorates DEA Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena. Agent Camarena was abducted, tortured and brutally murdered in Guadalajara, Mexico in 1985. Agent Camerena sacrificed his life in the fight against drugs. The communities across the country and the nation rallied behind a campaign which served as a reminder of the harm caused by drugs. The campaign expressed the need for anti-drug programs and the campaign would allow the dedicated actions of Americans to show their opposition to drugs. The campaign became known as THE NATIONAL RED RIBBON WEEK.
During the last week of October each year, a red ribbon is worn to express support for National Red Ribbon Week and to remember Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camerna. Throughout the United States and DEA, different events are sponsored to provide a platform by which to deliver the anti-drug message. In the Washington Division Office, the events included a program to kick-off National Red Ribbon Weekwhere several DEA Agent personnel spoke to the audience and a video commemorating Agent Camerena was shown. A celebration of National Red Ribbon Week is scheduled for Friday, October 31, 2003 at 9:00am, at the Poplar Tree Elementary School, 13440 Melville Lane, Chantilly, Virginia, in Fairfax County. The celebration will include the JUST SAY NO CLUB members, a performance of songs by 4th graders, the National Guard will participate by landing a helicopter, displaying a HMMWV and a Cargo Van for an educational program.
If you would like additional information on Red Ribbon Week, please contact the Washington Division Office, Demand Reduction Coordinator at 202.305.8500.
