Red Ribbon Week is an National campaign that occurs annually from October 23-October 31. It commemorates the legacy of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena.
Enrique (Kiki) Camarena was a Drug Enforcement Administration Agent who was tortured and killed in Mexico in 1985.
When he decided to join the US Drug Enforcement Administration, his mother tried to talk him out of it. “I’m only one person”, he told her, “but I want to make a difference.”
On Feb. 7, 1985, the 37-year-old Camarena left his office to meet his wife for lunch. Five men, suspected members of a local drug cartel, appeared at the agent’s side and shoved him in a car. One month later, Camarena’s body was found. He had been tortured to death.
In honor of Camarena’s memory and his battle against illegal drugs, friends and neighbors began to wear red badges of satin. Parents, sick of the destruction of alcohol and other drugs, had begun forming coalitions. Some of these new coalitions took Camarena as their model and embraced his belief that one person can make a difference. These coalitions also adopted the symbol of Camarena’s memory, the red ribbon.
On Oct 19, 1988, President Reagan proclaimed, “Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim the week of October 24 through October 30, 1988, as Drug-Free America Week, and I call upon the people of the United States to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.”
In honor of Red Ribbon Week, the Lewis & Clark Young Marines have attended city counsel meeting in SW Washington and Oregon to share the drug-free lifestyle and Red Ribbon Week message by asking city governments to proclaim they too will carry on the fight against illegal drugs in their communities.
Lewis & Clark Young Marines have accepted Red Ribbon Week proclamations from the mayors of the following cities:
- Mayor Tim Leavitt, Vancouver, WA
- Mayor Ron Onslow, Ridgefield, WA
- Mayor Greg Thornton, La Center, WA
- Mayor Philip Johnson, Battle Ground, WA
- Mayor Lori Deremer, Happy Valley, OR
- Mayor Casey Ryan, Troutdale, OR
- Mayor Brian Hodson, Canby, OR
Although Red Ribbon Week is the last week in October, living a drug-free lifestyle is a core value of the Young Marines and is practice everyday of the year.
More Red Ribbon Week Proclamation Photos