Red Ribbon Week began after the kidnapping, torture and murder of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent Enrique Camarena in 1985. Camarena had been working undercover in Mexico for over four years and his efforts led to the discovery of a multimillion dollar narcotics manufacturing operation before his murder. The DEA’s investigation revealed that Camarena had been tortured before he was murdered.
Following Camarena’s murder, citizens in his hometown of Calexico, California donned red ribbons in his honor. The red ribbon became the symbol for drug prevention, and in 1988 the first National Red Ribbon Week was proclaimed by the U.S. Congress. According to the DEA, approximately 80 million people participate in Red Ribbon Week events every year.
Our Munster schools will be celebrating Red Ribbon Week in a variety of ways, and our police department will be supporting those efforts. Please take time to speak with your children this week about remaining drug-free and about the importance of making positive choices and associations.