Red Ribbon

History of Red Ribbon Week

It starts with the smallest gesture: a child pinning a red ribbon to his shirt, a girl wearing a red ribbon wristband, a classroom planting red tulips, a business displaying a red ribbon banner, a community hosting a red ribbon family event. Though these acts are simple, their significance is tremendous. Each red ribbon has the potential to reach a boy, a girl, a caring adult or a family in a profound way. The red ribbon is a catalyst and symbol for millions of Americans who show that ribbon by ribbon, neighbor by neighbor, they are united for drug-free youth. Since its beginning in 1986, the Red Ribbon Celebration had touched the lives of more and more people each year. It all began with the brutal murder of Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Agent assigned to a case in Mexico. Enrique was shockingly close to uncovering the identities of key members of a Mexican drug cartel. He was kidnapped, brutally tortured and killed just days before he was to identify kingpins of the illegal business in Mexico.

Angered by Kiki's death and the destruction caused by drug and alcohol use in America, the young people of Kiki's hometown in Calexico, California began wearing Red Ribbons in honor of the fallen hero. The National Family Partnership and its affiliated organizations soon began to wear Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to fight the illegal use of drugs. Today, the red ribbon is the symbol for drug, alcohol and tobacco prevention across America. The Theme for Red Ribbon Week 2001 is "Plant the Promise to Keep Kids Drug-Free"

Annually, every October 23rd - 31st more than 80 million young people and adults show their commitment to a healthy, drug-free life by wearing or displaying the red ribbon. Since 1988, The National Family Partnership has provided national leadership for this exciting event, This nationwide celebration has become a major force for raising public awareness and mobilizing communities to combat alcohol and drug use among youth.
*Provided by the National Family Partnership