Red Ribbon Week
Enrique (Kiki) Camarena was a Mexican-American man working for the DEA after formerly serving in various positions such as the Marine Corps, as a fireman, a police officer, and a deputy sheriff in California. In 1985 he had been on assignment in Mexico for four years. And he was on the trail of the country’s biggest marijuana and cocaine traffickers. He was getting close to exposing a multi-billion-dollar drug pipeline until he was kidnapped that February. He was headed to lunch with his wife when he was last seen being thrown into a van by masked men. His body wasn’t discovered until a month later.
After his death, “Camarena Clubs” were launched in his hometown of Calexico, California. Hundreds wore red ribbons and pledged to lead a drug-free life in his honor. President Ronald Reagan was in office at the time. The club members presented a proclamation to First Lady Nancy Reagan which brought the red ribbon pledge national attention. The campaign became official in 1988 by the National Family Partnership, President Reagan, and the “Just Say No” creator, Mrs. Reagan, as honorary chairpersons. Red Ribbon Week is now celebrated annually from October 23-31.
Check out this Google Earth video on “The Life of DEA Special Agent Kiki Camarena”.
Sources & Resources:
DEA
Fairfax CSB Opioid Info
REVIVE Training for Opioid Overdoses
Medication Disposal
Teen Substance Use
FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program
DEA Drug Take Back Day
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270 and be sure to follow us on Twitter at @FCPSSAPS.
For further Information & support:
Stacey King, MSW, M.Ed.
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
SAKing@fcps.edu
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