Red Ribbon Week takes place each year from October 23 – October 31 with the mission to help keep kids drug-free. The 2021 theme, created by 7th grader Marin Wurst, is Drug Free Looks Like Me. The theme is a reminder that everyday Americans across the country make significant daily contributions to their communities by living drug-free.
Enrique “Kiki” Camarena was a Drug Enforcement Administration Agent who was tortured and killed in Mexico in 1985. In honor of Kiki’s memory, friends and neighbors began wearing red badges of satin and parents began to embrace the belief that one person can make a difference. This eventually led to adopting the Red Ribbon symbol to serve as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities.
You can get involved by purchasing merchandise, taking the pledge, donating, or sharing your story. To learn more information about the Red Ribbon Campaign, please visit here.