Red Ribbon Week - Drug Prevention

Red Ribbon week is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the whole country. Red Ribbon Week generally takes place the last full week in October. This year Red Ribbon Week will be celebrated October 20-28, 2007. This campaign is dedicated to a brave young man named Enrique Camarena.

Enrique "Kiki" Camarena wanted to make a difference in the world just like many other young people. He thought he was only one person and couldn't make a difference, but in fact he has changed the lives of millions. He grew up in a dirt floor home. He joined the Marines after working his way through college. After he completed his duty in the Marines, he became a police officer. He decided to join the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, even though his mother pleaded with him not to do it.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA, sent Enrique to Mexico, working undercover. He was to investigate a major drug cartel which was believed to have included officers in the Mexican army, police and government. On February 7, 1985, Enrique was to meet his wife for lunch. But unfortuately he didn't make that lunch date. Five men suddenly appeared and pushed him into a car. One month later, Enrique Camarena's body was found in a shallow grave. He was only 37 years old. He had been tortured to death.

After Enrique's death, Congressman, Duncan Hunter, and Enrique's friend ,Henry Lozano, started the Camarena Club in Imperial Valley, California, Camarena's hometown. Club members pledged to lead drug-free lives. To honor the memory of Enrique Camarena, friends and neighbors began to wear red badges of satin. People began to form coalitions and from these efforts the Red Ribbon campaign was born.

Red Ribbon Week is a campaign for communities and individuals to make a commitment to drug prevention, education and to live drug free lives. The ultimate goal of the campaign is for a drug free America.