PHS Arrive Alive Red Ribbon Week
October 23-31, 2004
Schools and Communities Unite for a Drug-Free USA
About 3 million U.S teens have an alcohol problem, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, and more than half of school-age children will have tried illegal drugs by the time they finish high school. In order to combat the disturbing facts, more than 100,000 U.S schools and other community organizations will celebrate the 16th annual Red Ribbon Week this year. The event focuses on drug prevention and education for children of every age. For this to happen, we need to band together. Studies have shown that young people who learn to say no to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs are less likely to be involved in a crime.
History
Red Ribbin Week grew out of the efforts of the people of Calexico, CA, the hometown of DEA special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena. While working undercover in Mexico in 1985 to gather information on local drug traffickers, Camarena's identity was discovered and he was abducted, tortured and killed. Within weeks of his death, Camarena's friends and neighbors launched Camarena Clubs. Members of the Clubs pledged to live drug free in honor of the sacrfices made by Camarena and others like him. During the spring of that year, two club members brought national attention to the program when they presented the Carmarena Club Proclamation to First Lady Nancy Reagan. By summertime, parent groups in several states joined the campaign and prompted the wearing of red nationally, and in 1988 the U.S Congress proclaimed the last week of October as Red Ribbin Week.
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