Red Ribbon Week

“Week of October 27 – 31, 2004 Narconon Georgia/ Atlanta Recovery sponsored “Red Ribbon Week” in the state of Georgia. A rally was held in Woodruff Park in downtown Atlanta to promote a statewide “Drug Free Day” for Georgia. This event was a huge success drawing the support of Atlanta’s mayor, city council and Georgia State and Federal officials. This effort to fight drug addiction and all the ills that accompany it, was just one of many sponsored by this outstanding program. It was received warmly by the citizens and was a true public service in the never-ending battle on drugs. For more information, and to pledge tax deductible support call the Administrative offices
at 877-413-3073.”

THE HISTORY OF RED RIBBON WEEK

A Community Response To Tragedy

February 7, 1985, undercover Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered by members of a drug gang in Mexico. It took a search by 500 special U.S. agents to find his battered body in a shallow grave on a ranch in Mexico. He was buried with honors in his hometown of Calexico, California.

Enrique’s congressman, Representative Duncan Hunter, moved by the agent’s death, met with Mr. Henry Lozano, Director of Teen Challenge, and Mr. David Dhillon, a Calexico High School teacher to call for the creation of Camarena Clubs to promote the awareness of the dangers of drug abuse in his 45th Congressional District. This endeavor was supported and assisted by the Camarena family.

In honor of Kiki, the first Camarena Club was formed in April of 1985 at Calexico High School where Kiki Camarena and Henry Lozano graduated in 1966.

The Original Red Ribbon Pledge

On April 20, 1985, 100 students signed the following pledge that was written by Congressman Hunter’s wife, Lynne…

“We, the undersigned students of Calexico High School pledge; in the honor of Enrique Camarena, and all others risking their lives, to stop the flow of drugs, to say no to drugs, to encourage my friends to say no to drugs, to provide support to others who use drugs to help them learn to say no to drugs, to become educated on the dangers of drugs, and provide this information to my community.”

On April 26, Mrs. Hunter, Mr. Lozano, Mr. Dhillon, and Calexico High School students presented the signed Camarena Club Pledge to First Lady Nancy Reagan at the National Parent’s Resource Institute for Drug Education Conference in Washington, DC.

On June 16, inspired by Kiki’s sacrifice, the Virginia Federation of Parents and the Illinois Drug Education Alliance called on all Americans to wear red ribbons to symbolize their commitment to fight drug abuse.