During Red Ribbon Week, people pay tribute to DEA Special Agent Enriqué “Kiki” Camarena whose tragic murder in 1985, while investigating drug traffickers, led to the creation of the Red Ribbon Program. It offers a great opportunity for parents, caregivers, educators, and community organizations to raise awareness of the problem of drug abuse and engage youth in drug-free activities. Youth pledge to live drug-free lifestyles by wearing red ribbons and participating in community or school anti-drug events.
Drug prevention events may include sponsoring a drug-free sports event, holding a town meeting on how to combat the local drug problem, making posters with important drug facts to place in school hallways, or participating in a prescription drug take back event. DEA offers a Red Ribbon Toolkit with fact sheets, promotion ideas, a press release, and videos to use.