
The theme for this year’s observation is “A Healthy Me is Drug Free.”
Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program, reaching millions of Americans during the last week of October every year.
Red Ribbon Week is celebrated annually by wearing red ribbons and participating in community anti-drug events, pledging to live a drug-free lifestyle and paying tribute to DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena whose death inspired the commemoration of Red Ribbon Week.
Special Agent Camarena was an 11-year DEA veteran assigned to the Guadalajara, Mexico, office, where he was on the trail of the country’s biggest marijuana and cocaine traffickers. In 1985, he was extremely close to unlocking a multi-billion dollar drug pipeline when he was kidnapped, tortured and murdered by Mexican drug traffickers. His tragic death reportedly opened the eyes of many Americans to the dangers of drugs and the international scope of the drug trade.
DPS Associate Superintendent Mary Lou Cameron said each school in the district has developed special activities to bring awareness to the benefits of a drug-free lifestyle.