THE HISTORY OF RED
RIBBON WEEK
A Community Response To Tragedy
February 7, 1985, undercover Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique
"Kiki" Camarena was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered by members of a drug gang
in Mexico. It took a search by 500 special U.S. agents to find his battered
body in a shallow grave on a ranch in Mexico. He was buried with honors in his
hometown of Calexico, California.
Enrique's congressman,
Representative Duncan Hunter, moved by the agent's death, met with Mr. Henry
Lozano, Director of Teen Challenge, and Mr. David Dhillon, a Calexico High
School teacher to call for the creation of Camarena Clubs to promote the
awareness of the dangers of drug abuse in his 45th Congressional District. This
endeavor was supported and assisted by the Camarena
family.
In honor of Kiki, the first Camarena Club was
formed in April of 1985 at Calexico High School where Kiki Camarena and Henry
Lozano graduated in 1966.
The Original Red Ribbon
Pledge
On April 20, 1985, 100 students signed the
following pledge that was written by Congressman Hunter's wife,
Lynne...
"We, the undersigned students of Calexico
High School pledge; in the honor of Enrique Camarena, and all others risking
their lives, to stop the flow of drugs, to say no to drugs, to encourage my
friends to say no to drugs, to provide support to others who use drugs to help
them learn to say no to drugs, to become educated on the dangers of drugs, and
provide this information to my community."
On April
26, Mrs. Hunter, Mr. Lozano, Mr. Dhillon, and Calexico High School students
presented the signed Camarena Club Pledge to First Lady Nancy Reagan at the
National Parent's Resource Institute for Drug Education Conference in
Washington, DC.
On June 16, inspired by Kiki's sacrifice,
the Virginia Federation of Parents and the Illinois Drug Education Alliance
called on all Americans to wear red ribbons to symbolize their commitment to
fight drug abuse. |
 |
|
"Week of October 27 - 31,
2004 Narconon Georgia/ Atlanta Recovery sponsored "Red Ribbon Week" in the
state of Georgia. A rally was held in Woodruff Park in downtown Atlanta to
promote a statewide "Drug Free Day" for Georgia. This event was a huge success
drawing the support of Atlanta's mayor, city council and Georgia State and
Federal officials. This effort to fight drug addiction and all the ills that
accompany it, was just one of many sponsored by this outstanding program. It
was received warmly by the citizens and was a true public service in the
never-ending battle on drugs. For more information, and to pledge tax
deductible support call the Administrative offices
