Red Ribbon Week started when Enrique Camarena, U.S. Drug Enforcement officer, was sent to work undercover in Mexico investigating a major drug cartel believed to include officers in the Mexican army, police and government.
On Febuary 7th, 1985, the 37-year-old Camarena left his office to meet his wife for lunch. Five men appeared at the agent's side and shoved him in a car. One month later, Camarena's body was found in a shallow grave. 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, outraged at the overuse of drugs and alcohol, started forming coalitions. Some of these new coalitions took Camarena as their model and followed his belief that one person can make a difference. These coalitions also adopted the symbol of the red ribbon in Camarena's memory.
The National Family Partnership organized the first Red Ribbon Campaign in 1988. Since that time, the campaign has reached millions of U.S. children. It is now the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country.
“Drug use is a huge issue in high schools. Drug use can continue after high school and some students don’t realize it. It can get out of control,” said an anonymous student of MHS.
Staying away from drugs keeps you healthy and puts you in the right crowd. So this week, when we’re all dressed up, we ask that you remember, not only what the theme of the day is but the purpose behind it.
Camarena once told his mother, "I can't not do this. I'm only one person, but I want to make a difference." You can be that one person by making the simple decision to stay drug free.