National Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 23-31

During the week of October 23-31, 2003, millions of young people and adults celebrate a healthy, drug-free lifestyle by wearing or displaying a red ribbon during National Red Ribbon Week.

Since its beginning in 1986, the Red Ribbon Celebration has touched the lives of more and more people each year. It all began with the brutal murder of Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Agent assigned to a case in Mexico. Enrique was shockingly close to uncovering the identities of key members of a Mexican drug cartel. He was kidnapped, brutally tortured and killed just days before he was to identify kingpins of the illegal business in Mexico.

Angered by Kiki's death and the destruction caused by drug and alcohol use in America, the young people of Kiki's hometown in Calexico, California began wearing Red Ribbons in honor of the fallen hero. The National Family Partnership and its affiliated organizations soon began to wear Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to fight the illegal use of drugs. Today, the Red Ribbon is the symbol for drug, alcohol and tobacco prevention across America. The Theme for Red Ribbon Week 2002 is "Freedom is Drug-Free, Plant the Promise"

Annually, every October 23rd - 31st, more than 80 million young people and adults show their commitment to a healthy, drug-free life by wearing or displaying the Red Ribbon. Since 1988, The National Family Partnership has provided national leadership for this event. This nationwide celebration has become a major force for raising public awareness and mobilizing communities to combat alcohol, drug and tobacco use among youth.

Source: National Family Partnership