News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2008
Contact: Jodie Underwood
Number: (206) 553-1162

Enthusiastic Response to Seatttle and Tacoma’s Red Ribbon Events Celebration
Geneva Camarena’s message: You are important!

Geneva “Mika” Camarena, widow of slain DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena and guest speaker at the Red Ribbon events, greets schoolchildren.
Geneva “Mika” Camarena, widow of slain DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena and guest speaker at the Red Ribbon events, greets schoolchildren.

OCT 20 -- (Seattle, WA) – The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Seattle Field Division kicked off its 2008 Red Ribbon events at McCarver Elementary School on October 15, 2008 and at Holy Rosary Elementary School on October 16, 2008. Geneva “Mika” Camarena, widow of slain DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena was the guest speaker for both events. Ms. Camarena delivered a strong message to nearly 1,000 school children to respect themselves, because they are important.

Law enforcement from across Seattle and Tacoma banded together with a positive message for kids to make the right choices and say “no” to drugs. School events comprised of coloring and banner contests that supported drug prevention themes for all ages. Children proudly wore wear red ribbons as a sign of their pledge to remain drug-free.

Geneva “Mika” Camarena, widow of slain DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena and guest speaker at the Red Ribbon events, greets schoolchildren. Geneva “Mika” Camarena, widow of slain DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena and guest speaker at the Red Ribbon events, greets schoolchildren.

The National Red Ribbon Campaign, which is the nation’s largest drug prevention effort, began after drug traffickers in Mexico tortured and brutally murdered Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena in March 1985. 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. Red Ribbon week started as a local effort in Camerena’s hometown of Calexico, California when Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) and Camerena’s high school friend, Henry Lozano, created Camarena Clubs to ensure fond memories of Kiki. The National Family Partnership (NFP) created a national campaign of observance, 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.

Officially, Red Ribbon Week will be celebrated nationally from October 24-31; however, several communities and school districts hold events throughout the month. The Seattle Field Division has several Red Ribbon events scheduled in Alaska, Washington and Idaho, which are posted on the Seattle Field Division’s website. For further information regarding Red Ribbon events in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska please contact the Seattle Field Division at 206-553.5443.

The two events were supported by the following agencies: Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Western District of Washington - United States Attorney’s Office, Tacoma Police Department, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, Crime Stoppers, Tacoma Mayor’s Office, Tacoma School District, Washington State Attorney General’s Office and the Seattle Police Department.