Red Ribbon Week is something that we have celebrated every year since kindergarten – but why do we? The start of the famous red ribbons we theoretically adorn every year was former US Marine Enrique S. Camarena (Dea.gov). Camarena went through quite a journey: serving in the Marine Corps, then as a firefighter and deputy sheriff, and finally as a DEA agent. In 1985 he had made heavy headway into a famous, million-dollar drug pipeline, and right as he was about to ‘tie the ribbon’ of the ‘gift’ of ending the operation he was kidnapped.
After his death, truthfully the discovery of his body, “Congressman Duncan Hunter and high school friend Henry Lozano launched Camarena Clubs in [Camerena]’s hometown of Calexico, California” (Dea.gov). This club laid the foundation of the future Red Ribbon Campaign, with hundreds of members sporting a red ribbon to show off their pledge to lead a ‘drug-free life.’ The trend spread increasingly until “The campaign was then formalized in 1988 by the National Family Partnership, with President and Mrs. Reagan serving as honorary chairpersons.” (Dea.gov).
But why exactly is Red Ribbon Week important? Each year we spend five days learning about the “killing and destruction caused by drugs in America” and give parents and students resources about the “Red Ribbon Campaign, Red Ribbon Certified Schools, Lock Your Meds, and Safe Homes / Safe Parties” (redribbon.org). This year, the campaign’s motto is “Be kind to your mind. Live drug-free.’ The phrase was submitted by Danielle Helm, a Youth Service Coordinator from Russell County Middle School in Russell Springs, Kentucky (redribbon.org).
From October 23 to 27, Red Ribbon Week will be celebrated in our halls. Here’s how you can show you say no to drugs:
- Monday – ‘Say Boo to Drugs’: Wear a Halloween shirt or costume.
- Tuesday – ‘I Have the Power to be Drug-Free’: Dress like a superhero.
- Wednesday – ‘Tell Drugs to Take a Hike’: Dress like you’re going camping.
- Thursday – ‘Lei off Drugs’: Wear Hawaiian clothes or a lei.
- Friday – ‘Pinky-y Promise to be Drug-Free’: Wear pink.
Make sure to appreciate why exactly we dress up and understand that it is not just to ‘scare’ the drugs away this October!
